Department for Transport

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Databases

Alex Chalk: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he last reviewed the fee for third parties seeking to access DVLA driver records to ensure it strikes the right balance between easy access to data and value for money for Government; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport, regularly reviews the fees levied to access driver records. The last review took place in 2017.

Ryanair

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has received representations on the late or non-payment of compensation packages by the airline Ryanair; and if he will make a statement.

Mr John Hayes: The Department for Transport has not received any official representations regarding late or non-payment of compensation by Ryanair. According to the Regulation 261/2004 as clarified by case law, passengers have 6 years to bring the compensation claims to the airline. We will expect all airlines to process the claims and pay out compensation where it is due in a timely manner. During the recent mass cancellation of flights by Ryanair, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as the enforcement body to the Regulation took enforcement action against Ryanair due to the airline not giving out complete information to affected passengers of their rights. The Government fully supports this action which resulted in Ryanair changing its messaging.

Ryanair

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department provides guidance to airlines on the timeline for issuing compensation packages to customers.

Mr John Hayes: The Civil Aviation Authority, as the enforcement body for the Regulation 261/2004 establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights, ensures that airlines are compliant with the Regulation and has issued guidance material to the airlines. Case law on the Regulation has clarified that passengers have 6 years after the disruption to submit a claim for compensation. We will expect all airlines to process the claims and pay out compensation where it is due in a timely manner.

Manchester-Sheffield Railway Line

Jared O'Mara: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to eliminate the single line bottleneck through Dore & Totley station on the Hope Valley railway route between Sheffield and Manchester.

Paul Maynard: As part of the Great North Rail Project, the Hope Valley and Dore capacity schemes will increase track capacity to allow a more frequent service, accommodating three fast trains an hour between Sheffield and Manchester. This scheme is currently subject to a Transport and Works Act Order application, to which the Department is currently considering.

Roads: Kirklees

Thelma Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of the Pothole Action Fund will be allocated to Kirklees Council.

Jesse Norman: The Government is providing local highway authorities in England, outside London, £296 million between 2016 and 2021 from the Pothole Action Fund. This includes an extra £46 million that was announced in the Autumn Budget 2017. In 2016/17 the Department allocated Kirklees Council £0.325 million from the Pothole Action Fund. As Kirklees Council forms part of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority the Department will allocate £3.871 million to the Combined Authority in the financial year 2017/18. This funding is in addition to the just under £6 billion the Government is providing local highway authorities in England, outside London, between 2015 to 2021.

Southeastern

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 12 December 2017 to Question 118257 and with reference to page 34, paragraph 17 of paper South East Rail Franchise Stakeholder Briefing Document: Shaping the Future, if he will publish the supporting evidence that delays caused to Southeast Rail Services are as a result of trains changing lines at crossovers north of Lewisham station; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Maynard: Delays to train services on the South Eastern Franchise are grouped into two categories: Knock-on delays from one train to another; andAll other delays. On the South Eastern Franchise suburban network 77% of all delays at peak times between the 1st of April 2015 and the 31st of March 2016 were caused by knock-on delays from one train to another. Of these delays, 9.3% are recorded as having occurred at Lewisham station, or at the crossovers in the immediate vicinity. Only North Kent Junction, between New Cross and London Bridge, recorded higher delays on the peak suburban services outside the London termini.

A1: North of England

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate his Department has made of the cost of dualling schemes of the A1 north of Newcastle within England; and when he expects those projects to be completed.

Jesse Norman: As set out in the Road Investment Strategy (RIS) of December 2014, construction of the A1 dualling schemes between Morpeth and Ellingham is expected to start works in 2019/20. It is anticipated that all improvements will be completed by 2023. This is subject to completion of statutory planning processes and continuing to demonstrate value for money. The latest cost estimate range for the A1 in Northumberland programme is between £242 m and £344 m with the most likely estimate being £290 m. With regard specifically to the dualling upgrade between Morpeth and Ellingham, Highways England is currently carrying out surveys of the area to inform the preliminary design of the scheme. This survey work will then be used to inform the cost estimate for the dualling element of the improvements.

Railways: Fares

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing regional railcards.

Paul Maynard: A number of regional railcards already exist. These typically arise from local agreements with train operators. As such any proposal for, or development of, new offers or railcards would fall to individual train operators following an assessment of and in response to local demand. National Railcards are governed by the railcard scheme council and any changes to existing railcards, or new railcards, would therefore be for the industry to propose not Government.

Department for Transport: Families

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 30 November 2017 to Question HL3576, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen families.

Mr John Hayes: All families rely on the transport network, whether it’s to access education, get to work or the shops, or to visit friends and relations. That is why the Government has allocated more than £61bn in transport capital investment over the five years to 2020/21; record investment to make the network more reliable and better connected. In April this year, we published the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy, a £1.2bn plan to make cycling and walking the natural choice for the shorter, local journeys that are fundamental to family life. By creating safer streets, where cyclists and pedestrians feel like they have a place, families will be more encouraged to realise the health, social, environmental and economic benefits of these modes. Additionally, the strategy sets out a vision for better streets; with community-based activities and play streets. We also remain committed to regulating rail fares to help keep down the cost of living and, in the Budget, announced a trial of a new 26-30 year old railcard to extend concessions to a wider group. Additionally, as part of the rail franchise re-letting process, the Department requires bidders to include proposals that give customers who travel to work or commute part-time a better value for money option than buying multiple return journeys. The Government is committed to delivering a transport system which works for all. The Accessibility Action Plan will be published in 2018 and will set out the Government’s ambitions to help make transport accessible for all, enabling everyone to connect with their families.

Department for Transport: Brexit

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has established a market access commission on the implications of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

Mr John Hayes: We are undertaking a comprehensive programme of analytical work looking at the implications of UK withdrawal from the EU. The Government is examining all areas of the UK economy and seeking input from a wide range of businesses and industry bodies in order to inform our negotiations with the EU. Our department works closely with the Department for Exiting the European Union to ensure that they are informed of our understanding of these issues.

Department for Transport: Brexit

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department (a) has carried out or (b) is carrying out a market access assessment on the implications of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

Mr John Hayes: We are undertaking a comprehensive programme of analytical work looking at the implications of UK withdrawal from the EU. The Government is examining all areas of the UK economy and seeking input from a wide range of businesses and industry bodies in order to inform our negotiations with the EU. Our department works closely with the Department for Exiting the European Union to ensure that they are informed of our understanding of these issues.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Homelessness: Kirklees

Thelma Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what proportion of the £28 million funding for Housing First pilot schemes he plans to allocate to projects in the Kirklees local authority area.

Thelma Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of rough sleepers in the Kirklees local authority area in each year since 2010.

Mr Marcus Jones: At Autumn Budget 2017, the Chancellor announced £28 million of funding to pilot the Housing First approach for some of the country’s most entrenched rough sleepers. The pilots will cover the West Midlands Combined Authority, Greater Manchester, and the Liverpool City Region.This action builds on wider action that we have taken to achieve our manifesto commitment of halving rough sleeping by 2022 and eliminating it altogether by 2027. This includes:establishing the Rough Sleeping and Homelessness Reduction Taskforce, to drive forward the implementation of a cross-Government strategy;allocating over £1 billion to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping through to 2020; andimplementing the most ambitious legislative reform in this area in decades: the Homelessness Reduction Act.The Department for Communities and Local Government publishes regular statistics on rough sleeping which are published at national, London and local authority level. The latest statistics can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/homelessness-statistics

Terrorism: Greater Manchester

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 12 December 2017 to Question 118073, if he will list the requests received by Manchester City Council.

Jake Berry: My department does not hold a list of funding requests received by Manchester City Council.

Grenfell Tower: Fires

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 12 December 2017 to Question 116788, how many households from (a) Barandon Walk, (b) Hurstway Walk, (c) Testerton Walk, (d) Treadgold House, (e) Bramley House and (f) other surrounding blocks in the Lancaster West Estate remain in emergency accommodation following the Grenfell Tower fire.

Alok Sharma: The Department for Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Grenfell Tower: Fires

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 12 December 2017 to Question 116791, if he will provide details of the (a) times, (b) dates and (c) attendees of the meetings that have taken place between his Department and representatives from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea on allowing council tenants who formerly resided in Grenfell Tower to retain the right to buy.

Alok Sharma: The Department for Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Grenfell Tower: Fires

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his answer of 12 December 2017 to Question 116791, when he expects a resolution to the outstanding issues regarding council tenants who formerly resided in Grenfell Tower retaining the right to buy.

Alok Sharma: The Department for Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Horizon 2020

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the oral contribution by the Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation on 12 December 2017, Official Report, col. 172, what plans he has to make up the funding to the UK from Horizon 2020 which that programme has not contributed to the UK in the last 12 months.

Joseph Johnson: Until our departure from the EU, we remain a fully paid up Member State, with all the rights and obligations that entails. This means that while we remain a member of the EU, UK businesses and universities continue to have full access to funding through the EU Research and Innovation Framework Programme, Horizon 2020. The important work being done by our researchers, universities and innovative businesses must continue throughout this period.The joint report from the negotiators of the European Union and the United Kingdom Government approved by the European Council on 15 December stated that UK entities’ right to participate in EU programmes will be unaffected by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. This means that UK based organisations and individuals will be able to bid for funding, participate in and lead consortia, in 2019 and 2020, and will continue to receive funding for the lifetime of the project.It remains the case that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, which is why the Government’s underwrite guarantee remains in place. UK businesses and universities should continue to bid for competitive EU funds while we remain a member of the EU and we will work with the Commission to ensure payment when funds are awarded. The Government will underwrite the payment of such awards, even when specific projects continue beyond the UK’s departure from the EU.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: EU Nationals

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many non-UK EU nationals started employment in his Department since 23 June 2016.

Margot James: This information is not available. The nationalities of staff that join the Department are checked as part of usual recruitment processes but that information is not thereafter collated centrally and it would be above the cost threshold to do so.

Regulation

Sir Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he expects the Government to achieve its target to cut £10 billion of red tape.

Margot James: The target to deliver £10 billion of savings only applied in respect of the last Parliament, which was originally expected to run for five years from 2015 to 2020. The Government is currently considering its approach to setting a Business Impact Target in respect of the current Parliament.

Business: Regulation

Sir Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will estimate the savings to businesses of the repeal of regulations in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Margot James: Details of the savings to business that were delivered through improvements to regulation during the 2010-15 Parliament are set out in The Ninth Statement of New Regulation, published in December 2014. It is available on www.gov.uk.The Government has not yet published its final report on the savings to business delivered during the 2015-17 Parliament, but we will do so in due course.

Business: Regulation

Sir Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he next plans to publish a list of new UK and EU business regulations that will come into force in the next six months.

Margot James: The Government no longer publishes a statement of new regulations every six months. Under the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015, the Government is required to publish an annual report that among other things lists all measures’ impact on business or voluntary bodies, which came into force in the preceding year. The final report for the 2015-17 Parliament will be published in due course.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Data Protection

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many data incidents his Department (a) recorded and (b) reported to the Information Commissioner's Office in (i) 2015-16 and (ii) 2016-17.

Margot James: BEIS was created in July 2016. The data incidents recorded and those reported to ICO for BEIS since its creation are:DateRecorded incidentsReported to ICO2015-16n/an/a2016-17121

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Data Protection

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many times his Department's Senior Information Risk Officer roles been vacant for a week or longer since 2012.

Margot James: BEIS was created in July 2016. The Senior Information Risk Officer (SIRO) role has not been vacant at any time since the creation of the Department.

Business: Hampshire

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on businesses in Hampshire of the industrial strategy.

Claire Perry: The Government’s Industrial Strategy sets out a long-term plan to boost the productivity and earning power of people throughout the UK. It focuses on the five foundations of productivity: Ideas, People, Infrastructure, Business Environment and Places. Central to achieving these ambitions is ensuring that places across the UK are a global draw for innovators. Key policies to secure this ambition include the launch and roll-out of Sector Deals, driving investment in innovative and high potential businesses, and launching a review of the actions that could be most effective in improving the productivity and growth of small and medium-sized businesses across the country. We will also continue to ensure that all businesses have access to a local Growth Hub. I have been delighted at the positive reception the Industrial Strategy has received from business leaders across Hampshire. The Industrial Strategy also builds on previous reforms to empower local leaders to address local barriers to growth. This includes working in partnership with places to develop long-term Local Industrial Strategies. These will identify local strengths and challenges, future opportunities and the action needed to boost productivity, earning power and competitiveness.

Sugar: Manufacturing Industries

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much coal has been used in the manufacture of sugar from sugar beat in each year since 1992 to the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Richard Harrington: BEIS does not hold coal consumption statistics at this level of disaggregation; however, the table below presents the final consumption of coal by the UK food and beverage industry as a whole from 2005 to 2016:Final consumption of coal by the UK food and beverage industry, 2005 – 2016: Thousand tonnes  Thousand tonnes200526 201145200625 201244200734 201355200839 201462200948 201554201043 201644 Source: Digest of UK Energy Statistics, table 2.4, available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/solid-fuels-and-derived-gases-chapter-2-digest-of-united-kingdom-energy-statistics-dukes

Consumers: Prices

Patricia Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has any plans to address the loyalty penalty in essential markets.

Margot James: The Government is committed to addressing penalties for those who are on the poorest value tariffs and the detriment found by the Competition and Markets Authority, which is why we have published the draft Domestic Gas & Electricity (Tariff Cap) Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny.The Government will also issue a Consumer Green Paper in due course that tackles areas where markets are not working for consumers and businesses.

Consumers: Prices

Patricia Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with regulators on the loyalty penalty faced by consumers who don't switch provider.

Margot James: We want markets that work well for all consumers and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State regularly meets with Ofgem and other regulators to discuss a range of consumer issues.

Foreign Companies: Ownership

Dr Rupa Huq: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when she plans to create a public register showing the beneficial owners of overseas legal entities which (a) own or buy property in the UK and (b) secure contracts from central Government.

Margot James: On 11 December the Government published its new Anti-Corruption Strategy. In the Strategy we have committed to publish a draft bill in this session of Parliament for the establishment of a public register of beneficial ownership of overseas legal entities. The Department ran a call for evidence on this policy earlier in 2017. We will publish a response to the call for evidence early in 2018 and will also set out more detail on the timeline for publishing the legislation.

Small Businesses: Government Assistance

Jo Platt: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 15 December 2017 to Question 118099, for what reasons no reference was made as to whether support to small businesses forming part of the Government's assistance to small businesses as the UK leaves the EU was to be financial or just other support.

Margot James: I continue to meet with small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and their representative bodies, as part of our preparation to leave the EU, to understand the concerns of small business owners and to find out what support they want from government. This is a work in progress and my hon. Friend the Undersecretary of State for the Department for Exiting the European Union has committed to join me in regular meetings with SMEs and representative bodies whilst we develop our plans.Alongside this, the Government is working with the European Union to agree a deal on an implementation period and future partnership following the UK’s exit; a deal that provides certainty and clarity and that safeguards UK businesses’ ability to trade with their EU27 partners. Support provided to small businesses will also be informed by the outcome of these ongoing negotiations.

Green Deal Scheme

Mr Paul Sweeney: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the regulatory framework is which is used to accredit Green Deal Assessors; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry: Green Deal Assessors are accredited by Green Deal Certification Bodies, who in turn are authorised to act as Green Deal Certification Bodies by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. The Green Deal Framework (Disclosure, Acknowledgement, Redress etc.) Regulations 2012 provide the regulatory framework for this activity.

Green Deal Scheme

Mr Paul Sweeney: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many companies accredited under the Green Deal were subsequently investigated for breaches of the Green Deal Code of Practice.

Claire Perry: Since the Green Deal was introduced, two companies have been investigated for breaches of the Green Deal Code of Practice. One of the investigations led to a sanction against the company Home Energy and Lifestyle Management Ltd. The other investigation did not lead to a sanction.

Energy: Consumers

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether Ofgem plans to review its social obligations reporting system relating to vulnerable energy consumers.

Margot James: As the independent regulator, it is for Ofgem to decide when to review its social reporting system. Ofgem set the terms in the licence that require suppliers to provide information on their performance in relation to their social obligations. This includes their dealings with domestic customers in relation to payment methods, levels of debt and debt repayment rates, prepayment meters, disconnection rates and non-financial support for consumers in vulnerable situations.

Working Hours: EU Law

Hugh Gaffney: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the future operation of the Working Time Directive in the UK after the UK leaves the EU.

Margot James: The Government has firmly committed to protect workers’ rights, and the Withdrawal Bill will ensure that EU-derived employment rights, including those under the Working Time Regulations, will continue to be in force via domestic law after the UK has left the EU. On 11 December 2017, the Government published draft statutory instruments to illustrate how the proposed amendments will ensure the legal framework that provides for employment rights continues to operate effectively after exiting the EU. The draft statutory instruments and an accompanying explanatory note can be found by searching ‘Withdrawal Bill’ on the Gov.uk website.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Papua: Human Rights

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February 2017, to Questions 61719, what human rights observations and findings Ambassador Moazzam Malik identified during his most recent visit to West Papua; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Field: HMA Moazzam Malik visited Papua province in Indonesia from 14 until 18 November 2017 as part of his regular programme of travel around Indonesia. During the visit, he met local government officials, civil society groups, businesses and local communities. Economic development, sustainable forest management and human rights were all discussed. President Joko Widodo's development agenda for Papua is ambitious and we will continue to support sustainable development across the region. During the visit the Ambassador raised concerns about freedom of expression, media access, and the resolution of past human rights cases. We encourage full investigations into all allegations of abuses.

Yemen: Baha'i Faith

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of people of the Baha’i faith currently being detained by the Yemeni Government; and what information his Department holds on the charges under which members of the Baha’i community are being detained.

Alistair Burt: We are concerned about the treatment of the Baha'i community in Yemen, however, due to the volatile and fluid situation in Yemen the UK does not have access to sufficient information to allow us to make accurate assessments of the number of Baha'is detained by either the Government of Yemen or the de facto Houthi authorities, nor the charges under which they are detained.

Gaza: Fisheries

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Israeli Government on the limits imposed on fishing off the coast of the Gaza Strip.

Alistair Burt: While we have not raised this issue recently with the Israeli authorities, we have previously welcomed temporary extensions of fishing zones off Gaza, and continue to encourage the Israeli authorities to implement further measures to improve the situation in Gaza. The UK would like to see a permanent increase in the size of the fishing zone off the coast of Gaza, in line with the limit of 20 nautical miles stipulated in the Oslo accords.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Families

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 November 2017 to Question HL3576, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen families.

Mark Field: Her Majesty's Government recognises the important role played by families within society. Accordingly, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has supported initiatives at the UN which positively seek to recognise this, such as resolutions at the UN General Assembly that celebrated and subsequently followed-up on the twentieth anniversary of the international year of the family. The government is committed to ensuring that individual freedom, rights and diversity are protected and promoted, including with respect to families, as per the relevant articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Algeria: Protestantism

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office, if he will make representations to his counterpart in the Government of Algeria on the forced closure of a Protestant Church in North West Algeria on 9 November 2017.

Alistair Burt: ​The British Government is committed to supporting the freedom of people of all religions to practise their beliefs in peace and safety. We are aware of the closure of a church near Oran city on 9 November 2017. The church does not believe it has broken the law. Our Embassy in Algiers will be asking the Algerian authorities about this case.

Iraq: Marriage

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the Government of Iraq on (a) instances of child marriage in that country and (b) proposals on Iraq’s civil and family law governing child marriage.

Alistair Burt: We are concerned about child marriage and proposed changes to civil and family law governing child marriage in Iraq. In November 2017 we urged the Government of Iraq at senior levels to reconsider proposed amendments to legal provisions governing marriage, which could have seen the age of marriage reduced to nine, and we issued a public statement. The proposed amendments to the law were removed from the Parliamentary agenda. We will continue to monitor the situation.The UK is at the forefront of international efforts across the world to end Child and Early Forced Marriage. Through DFID's global £39 million "Accelerating Action to End Child Marriage" programme we are strengthening legal frameworks, and supporting the necessary associated shift in behaviours to end the practice.

Cabinet Office

Electoral Register

Alex Norris: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the evidential basis is for the Government's position that individual electoral registration is the most effective method of voter registration.

Chris Skidmore: Organisations such as the Electoral Commission had long advocated for the replacement of the household registration system with individual electoral registration. When the new system was introduced in 2014 this was with cross-party support.Since the end of the transition to individual electoral registration in 2015 we have gathered considerable evidence that the system is working well, including thanks to the introduction of online registration. In July 2016, the Electoral Commission reported that the December 2015 registers were 91 per cent accurate, a statistically significant increase compared to the 2014 registers (the last compiled using household registration). Completeness was seen to be stable at around 85 per cent.By the time of the 2017 General Election, the electoral register had grown to its largest ever size. Our registration service has seen the submission of more than 30 million applications.We are not complacent and we will continue to make efforts to modernise the registration system and to improve access to it, including through our democratic engagement plan.

Amazon: Government Contracts

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the contract between the Government and Amazon Web Services covering Platform as a service.

Caroline Nokes: Since January 2011, details of central government contracts above the value of £10,000 are published on Contracts Finder. Contracts published prior to 26 February 2015 can be viewed at:https://data.gov.uk/data/contracts-finder-archive Those published after 26 February 2015 can be viewed at:https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search

National Security

Kirstene Hair: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent progress he has made on the national security capability review.

Kirstene Hair: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the timetable is for the review of national security capabilities to be published.

Damian Green: The review of our national security capabilities is currently taking place in support of the ongoing implementation of the 2015 National Security Strategy (NSS) and Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR). Ministers will consider the conclusions of the review in due course.

Attorney General

Attorney General: Labour Turnover

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Attorney General, how many members of staff have left the Law Officers' Departments since 1 January 2015; and how many of those members of staff were nationals of non-UK EU countries.

Jeremy Wright: The following number of staff left the Attorney General’s Office (AGO), Government Legal Department (GLD) and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) during the period 1 January 2015 to 30 November 2017:Attorney General’s Office 41Government Legal Department 543HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate 18Of these 602 moves, 266 were to other government departments.During the period 1 January 2015 to 13 December 2017, 1,429 employees left the CPS.The number of staff who have left the SFO since 2015 is as follows:2015 722016 722017 64The recording of nationality information within the AGO, GLD and HMCPSI is the responsibility of the individual to input via employee self-service. The information held relating to the above 602 moves is as follows:British 385No declaration 205Irish 2 (taken to be Republic of Ireland as Northern Irish is a separate option)Other nationality 10 (the data held does not distinguish between EU and non-EU)The CPS acts in accordance with guidance on the handling of this information and does not keep certificate information for any longer than is necessary once a recruitment (or other relevant) decision has been made. This is generally for a period of up to six months, to allow for the consideration and resolution of any disputes or complaints. The CPS is unable to confirm therefore how many of those members of staff who left during this period were nationals of non-UK EU countries.As there is no legal requirement for employers to keep records on the nationality of staff, the SFO does not collate information on how many of these individuals were non-UK EU nationals.

Attorney General: Families

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Attorney General, to which legislation his Department has applied the Family Test, published in August 2014.

Jeremy Wright: The AGO has not been the sponsoring department for any legislation in this session.

Department for International Development

Department for International Development: Families

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 30 November 2017 to Question HL3576, what steps her Department is taking to strengthen families.

Rory Stewart: Strengthening families is a cross-government objective. Through our education, nutrition, health, economic development and social protection programing, DFID aims to tackle the main factors that pull families apart.

Department for International Development: Families

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, to which legislation her Department has applied the Family Test, published in August 2014.

Rory Stewart: The Commonwealth Development Corporation Act 2017 and the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Act 2015 are the two pieces of development legislation passed since the Family Test was introduced. The impact of both pieces of legislation at the specific level of the family is small and indirect, and therefore the Family Test was not applied in either case.

Kashmir: Overseas Aid

Julie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much funding her Department has allocated to the Kashmir Region in the last five years.

Alistair Burt: Pakistan administered Kashmir benefits from national programmes in Pakistan to promote economic growth and improve education and health services. DFID does not routinely measure total expenditure directed to sub-national geographies outside our focal states or provinces.

Kashmir: Overseas Aid

Julie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, What proportion of Government aid for the Kashmir region is directed through the Government of Pakistan.

Alistair Burt: Pakistan administered Kashmir benefits from national programmes in Pakistan to promote economic growth and improve education and health services. For example, 1.86% of the Government of Pakistan’s Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) beneficiaries are in Pakistan administered Kashmir (approximately 100,000 out of 5.2 million beneficiaries). DFID’s support to BISP focuses on system strengthening and cash transfers.

Kashmir: Overseas Aid

Julie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what proportion of Government aid for the Kashmir region is directed through the Government of India.

Alistair Burt: DFID does not provide any aid to India-administered Kashmir through the Government of India.

Kashmir: Overseas Aid

Julie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps the Government takes to ensure that aid for Kashmir reached that region.

Alistair Burt: Pakistan administered Kashmir benefits from national programmes in Pakistan to promote economic growth and improve education and health services. Although DFID does not routinely measure expenditure directed to sub-national geographies we are able to track aid in Kashmir through periodic visits.Our national programmes are monitored quarterly and annually to ensure funds are spent appropriately.

Kashmir: Overseas Aid

Julie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what projects the Government funds related to Kashmir.

Alistair Burt: Pakistan administered Kashmir benefits from national programmes in Pakistan to promote economic growth and improve education and health services. DFID may also respond to government requests for humanitarian assistance in India and Pakistan administered Kashmir, including through DFID funded UN agencies.

Syria: Humanitarian Aid

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make representations to UN bodies and the Syrian Government on humanitarian access to and urgent medical evacuations from Eastern Ghouta and other besieged areas in Syria.

Alistair Burt: DFID’s humanitarian partners are on the ground in Eastern Ghouta (as well as other hard-to-reach and besieged areas) providing life-saving food, protection, and healthcare including routine immunisation services against infectious diseases such as polio and measles. However, humanitarian access remains severely constrained.The UK continues to demand full and sustained humanitarian access to Eastern Ghouta at the UN and at every opportunity, and we have called on all parties to take all feasible measures to protect civilians, and allow emergency medical evacuations.

Department for International Development: ICT

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development,  what steps her Department is taking to implement the guidance set out by the Government Commercial Function in its paper Exiting Major IT Contracts: Guidance for Departments, published in November 2017, in respect of (a) using market engagement, (b) setting up disaggregation work, (c) risk assessment, (d) developing a programme plan through the transition, (e) identifying the skills and capabilities that will be needed in the future and (f) any other work related to that guidance.

Rory Stewart: DFID does not have any major IT contracts, as defined by the guidance.DFID follows best practice guidance and principles where they are applicable to DFID, in line with high government standards set by the Cabinet Office to ensure effective and consistent commercial delivery and drive continuous improvement.

Department for Education

Further Education: Training

James Frith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that the post-16 educational sector has the capacity to train young people to find employment in a post-automation jobs market.

Anne Milton: It is essential that we have training providers that are able to deliver the high quality training that employers and learners need. Following a series of locally led Area Reviews, significant recommendations have been made that will deliver a more efficient post-16 system. Our focus is on further improving the quality of the education provided through a risk-based Ofsted inspection programme, a robust intervention framework where failing colleges are referred to the Further Education (FE) Commissioner, who will also have an extended role by working to support improvement. We have introduced a new Strategic College Improvement Fund, worth £15 million over two years, to enable weaker colleges to access support from their stronger peers and a National Leaders Programme for FE, to help drive improvement across the sector. These initiatives should help us to achieve our ambition of a further education sector comprised of high status institutions, which can confer the same advantages as academic institutions. Having the best-quality teachers and leaders is also key to delivering high-quality provision across FE. We have invested £40 million in the FE workforce since 2013. This has provided bursaries to support over 1,200 graduates to train to teach maths or English in the FE sector. It has also funded training for thousands of teachers in FE institutions to help them improve their teaching of English and maths. To complement further education colleges and other training providers, and to support wider reforms to technical education, government is establishing five new post-16 specialist providers. The department is investing £80 million alongside contributions from business to establish National Colleges which will target sectoral skills gaps, where existing providers are not able to equip people with technical skills the sector’s employers need. We are also providing £170 million capital funding to create prestigious Institutes of Technology (IoTs) to deliver the higher-level technical skills employers demand, with a Call for Proposals to establish IoTs being launched on the 15 December. IoTs will be a prestigious and high quality employer-led institutions delivering hig

Children: Social Services

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the value is of private sector contracts for Children's Social Care in England.

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many contracts with private sector companies to provide children's social care services in England were in operation on the latest date for which figures are available.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The department does not hold information on the value of private sector contracts for children’s social care. Local authority expenditure data on private provision on children’s social care are published annually in the statistical first releases available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-local-authority-school-finance-data.Private provision is defined as expenditure on services provided/managed by private sector entities such as profit-making companies.The department does not hold information on the number of contracts with private sector companies to provide children’s social care services. In 2014 the government made regulations that prevent local authorities contracting out child protection functions to organisations carried on for profit.

GCE A-level: Knowsley

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will allocate capital funding to the Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council area to enable a new provider of academic A Levels to be established in Knowsley?

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, by what date she expects the provision of academic A Levels to be restored in the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley?

Anne Milton: The Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley will have A level provision restored through its delivery at SK College Group’s Knowsley campus from September 2018. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) understands that the college has received 60 A level applications to date for the 2018/19 academic year, and is assured that the college continues to participate in activity with Knowsley local council, and schools, to promote the expansion of the A level offer. The department is in discussions with the local council Executive Director (Children) on a continual basis, to determine the future demand for A level provision beyond existing accessible provision. The local council, as the commissioning body, acknowledges that there is no need to establish a new A level provider in Knowsley at present. However, should this position change, the ESFA would support the local council’s submission of a 16-18 market entry application to the department to help determine the appropriate provider type to enter the borough. The decision on which would dictate the applicable capital funding method.

Apprentices

Jo Platt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of  12 December to Question 117219, for what reasons the Minister did not answer if her Department has set a target for the number of apprenticeship starts in the year after the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy.

Anne Milton: The department wants to allow the market to evolve towards the 2020 target of 3 million apprenticeship starts and so we have not set targets for the number of starts each year.

Vocational Guidance: Disability

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that young disabled people are able to access good quality careers advice.

Anne Milton: The government’s careers strategy, published on 4 December 2017, sets out a long term plan to build a world class careers system that will help young people and adults choose the career that is right for them.The careers strategy includes proposals to improve the quality and coverage of careers advice in schools and give more aspirational careers advice for children, young people and adults with special educational needs and disabilities who are often held back by a lack of support to make important decisions. To improve careers advice for people with special educational needs and disabilities, the government is funding the Education and Training Foundation to provide professional development for careers advisers working with these young people specifically. We will also make sure that Enterprise Advisers, senior volunteers from business who support schools with their careers programme, receive training and information so they are confident helping people with special educational needs and disabilities. The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) and the Gatsby Foundation will work together to set out good practice in supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities. The CEC will undertake targeted work with employers to stimulate more employer engagement that will support young people with special educational needs and disabilities, and will continue to make the case for employers to provide work experience and supported internships for young people with special educational needs.

Teachers: Part-time Employment

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what provisions her Department has made to accommodate more part-time job opportunities within the teaching sector?

Nick Gibb: My Rt hon. Friend the Secretary of State hosted a summit on flexible working on 30 October 2017 where she announced a government drive to encourage more flexible working in schools and unveiled new plans to promote flexible working across the teaching profession.The summit explored possible short and long term proposals to make flexible working easier for schools to implement. The summit led to over 60 pledges to take action to increase the opportunities for flexible working in schools. These pledges were published on the flexible working pages on published on 1 December 2017 and can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/increasing-flexible-working-in-schools/increasing-flexible-working-opportunities-in-schools.The Government is committed to carrying out research looking at changing recruitment practices in schools. In addition, we are committed to running a one-year pilot of a revised model of the ‘Leadership Coaching Pledge’ for women teachers including extra support for part-time workers and people returning to teaching after a break. Further information is available at: https://www.tscouncil.org.uk/women-leading-in-education-coaching-pledge/.

Teachers: Job Satisfaction

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve teachers’ job satisfaction.

Nick Gibb: We are taking action in a number of areas that teachers inform us are the key to reducing workplace stress, including eliminating unnecessary workload. We are working extensively with unions, teachers and Ofsted to challenge practices that create unnecessary workload, and we will continue to look for ways to support the profession on this important issue.Following the Stevenson/Farmer Review, which highlighted the importance of public sector employers supporting employee wellbeing, we are currently considering the evidence and what more we can usefully do to support teachers’ wellbeing. We are promoting a whole school approach to mental health, including pupils and staff. In the Transforming Children and Young People’s Mental Health Green Paper we set out plans to incentivise schools to put in place designated senior mental health leads, trained to set up and oversee whole school approaches.

Teachers

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of scrutiny of schools by (a) her Department and (b) Ofsted on the (i) workload and (ii) job satisfaction of teachers.

Nick Gibb: The Department is working with Ofsted to tackle the drivers of unnecessary workload at national level. We recognise the importance of assessing the impact that its policy changes have on teachers' workload and job satisfaction. The Department for Education Protocol sets out commitments to provide schools with a year’s lead time for any changes to accountability, the curriculum and qualifications, and to take into account the workload impact on schools of such changes. The Department’s ‘workload action plan’, published in February 2017 alongside the results of the 2016 Teacher Workload Survey, sets out the steps we will take to continue to tackle workload at all levels of the education system. Ofsted has carried out a range of activity to support workload reduction: its recently published strategy includes a commitment to seek to reduce regulatory burdens, streamline inspection process and tackle the workload side effects of inspection. These commitments align with the Government’s commitment to reduce the burdens of inspection. Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/594680/Teacher_Workload_Action_Plan.pdf.

Department for Education: Families

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 30 November 2017 to Question HL3576, what steps her Department is taking to strengthen families.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Department for Education is pursuing a range of policies aimed at supporting and strengthening families. On 14 December the Secretary of State published, Unlocking Talent, Fulfilling Potential: A plan for improving social mobility through education: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/plan-to-boost-social-mobility-through-educationThe government is funding a £5 million trial of evidence-based home learning environment support programmes in the north of England, to improve the support available to parents to enable them to ensure their children are ready to thrive when they start school. The cost of childcare is a big issue for many families. The government offers 15 hours of free childcare to disadvantaged two year olds and all three and four year olds, up to 30 hours’ free childcare for working parents of three and four year olds, tax-free childcare and the childcare element of Universal Credit. The Evaluation of Early Implementation and the Evaluation of Rollout of 30 hours Free Childcare showed evidence of positive benefits. From the evaluation survey of parents taking up 30 hours in early implementer areas, some 78 percent reported that the extended hours had given them greater flexibility in their work choices. The case studies showed that increased work flexibility helped parents to obtain more secure employment, enhanced career opportunities and improved their work-life balance and 84 percent reported that they had slightly or much more money to spend:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/30-hours-free-childcare-early-implementation-evaluationhttps://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/642007/Evaluation_of_early_rollout_of_30-hours_free_childcare.pdf We want to ensure that all pupils are taught about healthy and respectful relationships and have the knowledge required to prepare for adult life, which includes family life. The Children and Social Work Act has required Relationships Education to be made compulsory in all primary schools, and Relationships and Sex Education compulsory in all secondary schools through regulations. The subject content will cover the core, age-appropriate knowledge that all children need to form safe, positive relationships based on respect. We are also taking steps to ensure that all children can develop into confident adults. On 4 December, in our Green Paper, Transforming Children and Young People’s Mental Health Provision https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-proposals-on-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health the Department of Education and the Department of Health set out new proposals on children’s mental health. These include commissioning further research into interventions that support parents and carers to build and/or improve the quality of attachment relationships with their babies.

Erasmus+ Programme

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether there are any contingency plans for a replacement for the ERASMUS+ scheme for UK Universities in the event that the UK does not renegotiate access to ERASMUS+.

Joseph Johnson: Holding answer received on 19 December 2017



The Department for Education continues to make rigorous preparations for a range of possible outcomes from the UK's negotiations with the EU. Under the agreement made last week, the UK would participate in Erasmus+ until the end of the programme. No decisions have yet been made about post-2020 programme participation since the scope of this programme has not been agreed. Options will be discussed as part of phase two of negotiations.

Children: Social Services

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much her Department has spent on the (a) consultation on (b) preparation for and (c) introduction of the National Assessment and Accreditation Systems for social workers, social work supervisors and leaders.

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding her Department has allocated to (a) phase 1 and (b) phase 2 of the implementation of the National Assessment and Accreditation system.

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of the funding allocated to the consultation on the National Assessment and Accreditation system was spent on (a) private sector consultants and (b) local authorities.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The government has spent £3.66 million in consulting on and preparing for the introduction of the National Assessment and Accreditation System for children and family social workers.The government has allocated for phase 1 and phase 2 of the National Accreditation and Assessment System: £2.7 million for the preparation of local authorities and social workers; and £4.86 million for the introduction, operational delivery and evaluation of the assessment.This total is split £2.7 million for local authorities and £8.52 million for private companies.

Adoption

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which local authorities have contracted out their adoption services to a third party;  and what the name is of each such contractor.

Mr Robert Goodwill: I am sorry, but the Department for Education does not collect information on whether local authorities contract out their adoption services to third party organisations.

School Meals: Per Capita Costs

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what has been the cost-per-child of children's school meals in each of the last 10 years.

Mr Robert Goodwill: School governing boards are responsible for their school meals service at a local level and the department does not collect this information. Schools in England do not receive specific funding for school meals. We allocate the Dedicated Schools Grant to local authorities on a per pupil basis and this is then distributed to schools and academies on the basis of a local formula. It is then for individual schools to decide how to use their budget, including how much to allocate to pay for school meals and how much to charge.

Ministry of Justice

Voting Rights: Prisoners

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the Government's policy is on voting rights for prisoners with short sentences.

Dr Phillip Lee: Holding answer received on 15 December 2017



Our policy on prisoner voting is well established – this Government will not allow convicted offenders behind bars to vote. At the same time, we are addressing an anomaly which allows those offenders on Home Detention Curfew to vote but not offenders who are released on temporary licence. Under the changes, up to a hundred offenders on short sentences, released on temporary licence into the community within twelve months of sentencing will be eligible to vote if an election is called during that period.

Prisoners: Wales

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many females who were resident in Wales are serving jail sentences.

Dr Phillip Lee: On 30 September 2017, 227 women with a Welsh origin address are serving a custodial sentence. It is important to stress that it is not possible to infer from an address in Wales that an individual considers themselves Welsh. HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) cannot identify English and Welsh prisoners as information is not collated in this way. Around 97% of prisoners have an origin location - i.e. addresses that are recorded in our central IT system. If no address is given, an offender’s committal court address is used as a proxy for the area in which they are resident. The numerical information provided has been drawn from administrative IT systems, which as with any large scale recording system are subject to possible error with data entry and processing.

Prisoners: Females

Carolyn Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many women in prison have been refused a place in a mother and baby unit in each of the last five years.

Dr Phillip Lee: The table below details the number of applications that were made for a place on a prison mother and baby unit in the last five financial years, together with the number of applications approved and refused.Table: Mother & Baby Units (MBU) Management Information, by year 2010/11 to 2016/171 2012/132013/142014/152015/162016/17Number of applications received for admission to MBU215210197144119Number of applications approved by a board211480746961Number of applications refused by a board23328324116 (1) Figures are management information drawn from administrative data systems. They are provisional figures and subject to change following final quality assurance. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. (2) Not all applications to MBUs will be approved or refused, many will not proceed for other reasons. Applications may not be assessed in the month in which they are received.

Prisoners On Remand

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what comparative assessment he has made of the outcomes of remand hearings conducted (a) in court and (b) via video link.

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what comparative assessment he has made of the outcomes of sentencing outcomes conducted (a) in court and (b) via video link.

Dominic Raab: The MoJ has not conducted an assessment of outcomes of sentencing hearings depending on whether video was used. Sentencing outcomes are a matter for the judiciary. MoJ does not collect data centrally that distinguishes between video or in court hearings. To collect this data would require significant manual intervention and would incur disproportionate cost.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service: Temporary Employment

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many agency staff have been employed by HM Courts and Tribunal Service in each year since 2010.

Dominic Raab: The numbers of agency staff employed by HM Courts and Tribunals Service from 2010 is2011 – 2702012 – 4612013 - 8292014 – 8192015 – 9922016 – 11932017 – 2005 Agency staff numbers in HMCTS have increased since 2012 partly because of the reform programme and our workforce strategy to maintain appropriate levels of workforce flexibility. We expect the number of agency staff to significantly reduce as we implement the reform programme, redeploy staff, and recruit to vacancies arising from the new structure.

Prisoners: Parents

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many children had at least one parent who was imprisoned in each year for the last five years.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The Government is committed to supporting prisoners to establish or maintain relationships with their families where appropriate. Lord Farmer published his report in August on improving family relationships for those in prison. Work has already commenced on taking forward some of the important recommendations from this review.The Ministry of Justice does not collect data on the number of children who have a parent in prison. An MoJ longitudinal study of adult prisoners estimated that there were around 200,000 children who had a parent in prison at some point during 2009.In 2015, MoJ published analysis which estimated that in 2012 between 13-19% of women serving an immediate custodial sentence had at least one dependent child in their care. On average, this group of women had 1.8 children each.https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/465916/female-offenders-child-dependents-statistics.pdf

Prisoners: Employment

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many hours of purposeful engagement in activity is required of a prisoner and what the average number of sessions of purposeful activity undertaken by a prisoner has been in each prison in the last 12 months.

Mr Sam Gyimah: We want prison to be places of hard work and discipline and we are empowering governors to equip prisoners with the skills that they know they need. We do not stipulate a minimum number of hours of purposeful activity that each prisoner should undertake. The type of activity available is guided by the function and the facilities of each prison. This can include workshops; wing based work (such as cleaning and servery work); offending behaviour programmes and education. There is no single measure of the number of sessions required and attendance could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Community Rehabilitation Companies

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 6 November 2017 to Question 111447 on Probation, if he will publish the exit plans for each Community Rehabilitation Company.

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department has put in place contingency plans in the event that  a Community Rehabilitation Company is unable to perform its duties under a contract.

Mr Sam Gyimah: As per my answer to 111447, Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) contracts require Exit Plans to be in place and maintained throughout the life of the contracts. The content of the plans are specified in Schedule 24 of the contracts which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/community-rehabilitation-company-contracts. Contingency plans are in place in line with good contract management and standard industry practice. Both exit and contingency plans are commercially sensitive documents and therefore cannot be shared.

Prison Accommodation

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many category B prisoners are being held in category C prisons.

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many category B prisoners are being held in category D prisons.

Mr Sam Gyimah: All prisoners are individually assessed as to their risk of escape or abscond, their risk of harm to the public should they escape or abscond and their risk to the good order of the establishment. This ensures categorisation of prisoners to a prison providing an appropriate level of security. Only those prisoners categorised as C would be held in a category C prison and only those considered suitable would be held in category D open conditions. No category B prisoners are held in category D prisons. Prisoners must be risk assessed as suitable for Category D/open conditions before allocation to an open establishment. Category B prisoners are not routinely held in Category C prisons. If after reassessment a Category C prisoner is required to transfer to a Category B prison they are usually held in a segregation unit pending transfer to a suitable Category B establishment. On 13 December 2017, there were 20 such prisoners. The correct categorisation and allocation, balancing security issues and the needs of the prisoner, helps prisoners to use their sentences constructively, to tackle their offending behaviour and to prepare for their eventual release. All prisoners must be placed in the category consistent with the needs of security and control and the need to protect the public. Prisoners of a higher security category would not, as a matter of course, be held in an establishment of a lower category. The only exceptions to this will be where prisoners are re-categorised, and then await a move to a different establishment.

Prisons: Transport

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, on how many occasions a private transport provider (a) cancelled and (b) postponed scheduled transport between prisons in each of the least five years.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The number of cancellations of scheduled transport for prisoners between prisons for the last 5 calendar years is provided in the table below. Number of prisoners moved between prisonsNumber of cancellationsTotalPercentage cancelled201371,50417,51089,01419.7%201470,62522,70593,33024.3%201568,89022,10690,99624.3%201669,55624,59094,14626.1%2017 to date60,68219,62280,30424.4% Movement between prisons is robustly managed and cancellations occur for a broad range of operational reasons that include prisoner refusal, operational difficulties within discharging or receiving prison taking prioritisation, prisoner requiring medical treatment, and traffic delays en route. Data for postponed transport is not recorded centrally.

Courts: Video Conferencing

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, on how many occasions the video link connection for court appearances has broken down during a hearing in each month for the last year.

Dominic Raab: Information on the number of occasions the video-link connection for court appearances has broken down is not collected centrally.

Probation: Staff

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) full time and (b) full time equivalent offender managers have been employed in each prison in each of the last five years.

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average caseload for an offender manager was in each prison in each of the last five years.

Mr Sam Gyimah: At present, Offender Managers are employed by either the National Probation Service or Community Rehabilitation Companies and are not based in prisons. HMPPS will be implementing the Offender Management in Custody model during 2018 that will see Offender Managers from the NPS located in prison establishments. The design of the model and the number of Offender Managers that will be located in each prison is still being finalised.

Magistrates: Ethnic Groups

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of people on Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace were of BAME origin in each year for which records are available.

Dr Phillip Lee: The information requested can be found in the tables below. 201720162015White - BRITISH, IRISH or White Other21889%30191%32192%BAME2811%309%298%Not Known94 26 25 TOTAL340357375 (declaration: 72%)(declaration: 93%)(declaration: 93%)  201220112010White - BRITISH, IRISH or White Other42794%55794%66994%BAME296%346%426%Not Known45 53 57 TOTAL501644768 (declaration: 91%)(declaration: 92%)(declaration: 93%)  200920082007White - BRITISH, IRISH or White Other62894%51295%39894%BAME396%295%246%Not Known57 63 57 TOTAL724604479 (declaration: 92%)(declaration: 90%)(declaration: 88%)  20062005White - BRITISH, IRISH or White Other35195%28394%BAME205%186%Not Known33 19 TOTAL404320 (declaration: 92%)(declaration: 94%)

Magistrates: Females

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of members of Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace were women in each year for which records are available.

Dr Phillip Lee: The information requested can be found in the tables below. 201720162015Female18254%Female18953%Female19051%Male15846%Male16847%Male18549%Total340 Total357 Total375  201420132012Female20851%Female22849%Female23747%Male20349%Male24151%Male26253%Total411 Total469 Total499  2011  2010  2009  Female30047%Female34945%Female32444%Male34453%Male41955%Male40856%Total644 Total768 Total732  2008  2007  2006  Female26344%Female19240%Female15661%Male34156%Male28760%Male24839%Total604 Total479 Total404  2005  Female11436%Male20664%Total320

Prisoners: Females

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what category of offences were women who died in prison serving sentences for, in each year for the last 10 years; and how many of those women were on remand.

Dr Phillip Lee: The category of offences that women who died in prison were serving sentences for in each year from 2007 to 2016 are shown below in Table 1. The number of women who died in prison that were on remand at the time of death, in each year from 2007 and 2016 is shown below in Table 2. Table 1: Number of deaths1 of female prisoners by offence type, 2007 to 2016, England and Wales 2007200820092010201120122013201420152016Total857854612822Violence against the person3351112756Sexual offences0000000101Robbery0000300003Theft Offences3113102016Criminal damage and arson0010010102Drug offences2102021010Possession of weapons0000000000Public order offences0000000111Miscellaneous crimes against society0001001102Fraud offences0001000000Summary Non-Motoring0000000101Summary motoring0000000000  Table 2: Number of deaths1 of female prisoners who were on remand at the time of death, 2007 to 2016, England and Wales 2007200820092010201120122013201420152016  Remand4102011203(1) Deaths in prison custody figures include all deaths of prisoners arising from incidents during prison custody. They include deaths of prisoners while released on temporary license (ROTL) for medical reasons but exclude other types of ROTL where the state has less direct responsibility. In recent years, approximately one half of natural cause deaths in prison custody actually occur in hospitals or hospices. Data Sources and QualityThese figures are derived from the HMPPS Deaths in Prison Custody database. As classification of deaths may change following inquest or as new information emerges numbers may change from time to time.

Prisoners: Females

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many women in prison gave birth in each prison establishment in each of the last five years.

Dr Phillip Lee: The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Ministry of Justice: Contracts

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many contracts worth more than £5 million his Department signed in each year since 2010; with which counterparts such contracts have been signed; for what purpose those contracts were signed; what the (a) annual and (b) total cost of each such contract is; and what the length of each such contact is.

Dominic Raab: The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has awarded 246 contracts with a total value of £5 million or more since the 01 January 2010. The attached annex provides details of each contract.



119062 annex
(Excel SpreadSheet, 35.83 KB)

Prisoners on Remand: Females

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of women remanded into custody did not subsequently receive a custodial sentence in each of the last five years.

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the Government is taking steps to reduce the number of women remanded into custody who do not then receive a custodial sentence.

Dr Phillip Lee: The number and proportion of women remanded into custody at the magistrates’ and Crown Court who did not subsequently receive an immediate custodial sentence in each of the last 5 years are shown in the tables below. Separate figures are provided for the magistrates’ courts and the Crown Court. These figures cannot be combined as individuals that are committed for trial or sentence from the magistrates’ courts to the Crown Court in the same year would be counted twice. Women remanded in custody at the magistrates' and Crown Court who did not go on to receive an immediate custodial sentence, 2012 to 2016 1 2 3Magistrates’ Court  20122013201420152016Total number of women remanded in custody and dealt with by magistrates' courts 4 523922439239420451915Total number of women remanded into custody and dealt with by the magistrates’ courts who do not go on to receive an immediate custodial sentence15221560148613001149Proportion of women remanded into custody and dealt with by the magistrates’ courts who do not go on to receive an immediate custodial sentence64%64%62%64%60% Crown Court 6  20122013201420152016Total number of women remanded in custody and dealt with by the Crown Court 522202015229522071996Total number of women remanded in custody and dealt with by the Crown Courts who do not go on to receive an immediate custodial sentence836787930943820Proportion of women remanded in custody and dealt with by the Crown Court who do not go on to receive an immediate custodial sentence38%39%41%43%41% Notes1) The figures for remands relate to defendants remanded in each year in each completed court case rather than to the number of remand decisions.2) Each individual is reported against their principal remand status at that court, that is, the remand status involving the greatest degree of court control – i.e. custody if any period of the trial or sentencing was spent on custodial remand, else bail if any period was spent on bail and no period was spent in custody, else not remanded.3) Individuals cannot be robustly tracked between courts and cases, they will be counted separately in both Crown Court and magistrates’ courts totals if their case spans both, and would be counted more than once if remanded as part of multiple completed court cases.4) These figures exclude individuals remanded in custody at the magistrates' court that were committed to trial or sentence at the Crown Court as is not possible to determine the sentencing outcome.5) Individuals who failed to appear at court have been excluded.6) The Crown Court table only includes those remanded in custody at the Crown Court, regardless of an individual's remand status at the magistrates' Court. Individuals remanded in custody at the Magistrates' court may not be not be remanded in custody at the Crown Court following a committal.  At all stages of the Criminal Justice System, consideration is being given to a number of practical ways to ensure that we are managing all offenders and defendants, including female offenders/defendants, in the most effective and efficient way in order to support their rehabilitation and reduce reoffending. This includes improving the effectiveness of the use of remand and bail, focusing in particular on those defendants currently remanded in custody, convicted, but who do not go on to receive a custodial sentence. We are committed to doing all we can to address the issues around female offending so we can better protect the public and deliver more effective rehabilitation. We are developing a strategy for female offenders, to improve outcomes for women in the community and in custody. This will also consider how we can improve early intervention and diversion to avoid vulnerable women entering the criminal justice system.

Ministry of Justice: EU Nationals

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many non-UK EU nationals started employment in his Department since 23 June 2016.

Dr Phillip Lee: We are unable to calculate how many non-UK EU nationals started employment since 2016 as we do not hold data on employee’s nationality. We have no legal or business requirement to do so.

Prisoners: Muslims

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the number of women of Muslim faith in prison on 1 October 2017.

Dr Phillip Lee: According to published figures, as of 30 September 2017 there were 254 Muslim women in prison. This is the closest published data to the requested date. We publish end of month prison population figures broken down by religion and sex quarterly, and the statistics can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/prison-population-figures-2017.

Ministry of Justice: Data Protection

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many data incidents his Department (a) recorded and (b) reported to the Information Commissioner's Office in (i) 2015-16 and (ii) 2016-17.

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many times his Department's Senior Information Risk Officer role has been vacant for a week or longer since 2012.

Dr Phillip Lee: Departments are obligated to publish breaches of personal data in their Annual Reports and Accounts. Copies of the Ministry of Justice’s Annual Report and Accounts, including 2015-16 and 2016-17 and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/630239/moj-annual-report-2016-17.pdf (pages 34-35) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-justice-annual-report-and-accounts-2015-to-2016 (page 32) The Ministry of Justice takes any data loss seriously. The Department handles millions of records of personal data and each loss is assessed, including instances of small localised losses, which make up the vast majority of the incidents which occur. The department continues to take steps to address the number of data incidents occurring including staff training and awareness campaigns and a review of the governance structures in place to protect data and information. In compliance with the requirements of the Cabinet Office Security Policy Framework the Department has had four departmental Senior Information Risk Owners in post since 2012 and there have been no vacancies during that period.

Ministry of Defence

Rifles Regiment: Military Bases

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the barrack locations are of the Rifles Regiment; and what plans he has to move those barracks.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Details of the current and planned future locations of the regular battalions of The Rifles regiment are: BattalionCurrent LocationPlans1stBeachley Barracks, Nr ChepstowAs announced in the ‘A Better Defence Estate Strategy’ on 15 November 2016, Beachley Barracks has been identified for disposal in 2027. A future location for the battalion remains to be determined.2ndThiepval Barracks, LisburnNo change3rdDreghorn Barracks, EdinburghWill move to Catterick Garrison in 2021 as part of a Strike brigade (and will be replaced in Dreghorn by another infantry battalion)4thNew Normandy Barracks, AldershotNo change5thWard Barracks, BulfordNo change The regiment also has three reserve battalions (6th, 7th, and the new 8th Battalions) which are spread over multiple locations but broadly recruit from the Southwest, South and Northeast of England respectively.

Defence: Finance

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 December 2017 to Question 116427, on defence: finance, which sections and sub-heads within his Department's Estimates have been subject to virement in the last financial year; and what the value was of any transferred budget.

Gavin Williamson: These virements were reflected in the Department's 2016-17 published Annual Report and Accounts on pages 117 to 120, which is available on the gov.uk web site at the following link: www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-defence-annual-report-and-accounts-2016-to-2017

EU Defence Policy

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effect on his Department's polices of the proposed European Council and Parliament regulation to establish a European Defence Industrial Development Programme.

Harriett Baldwin: With the proposed regulation still subject to EU Council and EU Parliamentary approval, and to be tested in practice in 2019 and 2020, it is too early to draw any substantive assessment of its effects on Departmental policies. To help ensure a positive outcome, our current priorities are: to ensure that the terms of the regulation are flexible enough to attract a wide range of innovative industrial proposals; that while the regulations focus is on encouraging industrial cooperation within the EU it also supports other international cooperation, such as through NATO; and that it allows third country industrial participation. We have also made it known to the EU and our partners that we are open to considering options and models for participation in the European Defence Industrial Development Programme after we have left the EU, though any final decision shall form part of the wider withdrawal negotiations.

Armed Forces: Commonwealth

Andrew Bowie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Commonwealth citizens have been recruited into (a) the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, (b) the Army and (c) the Royal Air Force in each of the last five years.

Mark Lancaster: The requested information is provided below:  Intake into the UK Regular Forces - Commonwealth Nationalities  20132014201520162017Royal Navy/Royal Marines6040201040Army5501807060560Royal Air Force10~1010~  NotesFigures cover the 12 months ending 30 September in each year.Figures of 5 and below are indicated by "~". Figures above 5 have been rounded to the nearest 10. Numbers ending in a 5 have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias.Intake comprises new entrants, re-entrants, direct trained entrants (including professionally qualified Officers) and intake from the Reserves.

Ministry of Defence: Families

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 30 November 2017 to Question HL3576, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen families.

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, to which legislation his Department has applied the Family Test, published in August 2014.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Our Armed Forces are among the most extraordinarily talented and hard-working people in our society. We recognise the vital role that their families play, and that operational capability relies on recognising the Service person as part of a wider family unit. This is why we launched the first ever UK Armed Forces Families’ Strategy in 2016, which focuses and coordinates activity to support Service families. Priorities for this work include childcare, partner employment and accommodation, which have consistently remained areas of interest for both the Service Families’ Federations and the Department. In delivering the strategy we work closely with a number of external stakeholders to provide support to spouses and partners, for instance to those who are looking to gain employment, as we recognise that the demands of Service life can impact on the careers of family members. Welfare support is provided to families via the single Service welfare organisations; additionally there are a significant number of other organisations that can be accessed via welfare referrals. The Covenant Fund has assigned £4 million to projects that support ‘Families in Stress’, enabling specialist organisations such as Relate to provide immediate or local support to families experiencing episodes of significant strain. To date the Fund has awarded eleven grants, totalling almost £2 million, to specialist and expert charities. In addition to keeping the range of welfare support under continual review and launching the Families’ Strategy, we have expanded the Defence People Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2017-2022 to incorporate all Defence People, including the families of Service personnel. We have also embarked on a partnership with the Royal Foundation to deal with issues of stigma and the treatment of mental health problems across the defence community. We are developing options for the Future Accommodation Model which recognise the 21st century family and we are developing flexible engagements for those who wish to vary their deployability to better fit their Service career around family life, all of which aims to contribute to increased family stability. A key component of the Families’ Strategy is to ensure that Service families are considered in people policy development, supporting the principles outlined in the Family Test. This is achieved through consideration of the Service family as part of each relevant submission or policy discussion, and through regular engagement with the single Services and the three Families’ Federations who represent the needs and views of Service families. The Department also monitors the development and implementation of policy to assess the impact on families. In the period since August 2014 none of the legislation implemented by the Ministry of Defence has required the application of the Family Test.

Ministry of Defence: Staff

Martin Docherty-Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 4.61 of the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review, what the reason was for the increase of 710 civilians employed by his Department as set out in the Quarterly Location Statistics of 1 October 2017.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Ministry of Defence has made a robust start in delivering the ambitious headcount and financial targets set in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review and 2015 Spending Review, and has a number of programmes and projects currently under way, as part of the Department’s commitment to improving the efficiency of Defence business. There have, however, been recent manpower increases for value for money reasons; for example, to reduce costs in Defence Equipment and Support, more expensive private sector support partners are being replaced by appropriately trained, but significantly less costly, civil servants. The underlying trend on Civil Service headcount across Defence as a whole is firmly downward.

Ministry of Defence: Brexit

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has established a market access commission on the implications of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department (a) has carried out or (b) is carrying out a market access assessment on the implications of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department (a) has drafted or (b) is drafting a market access commission on the implications of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

Harriett Baldwin: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is undertaking a programme of analytical work looking at the implications of UK withdrawal from the EU, as they apply to the defence sector. Our analysis includes input from a wide range of businesses and industry bodies and is continuously updated.The Department is examining the economic implications for the defence sector and seeking input from a wide range of businesses and industry bodies in order to inform our negotiations with the EU. The MOD works closely with the Department for Exiting the European Union to ensure that they are informed of our understanding of these issues.

Ministry of Defence: Data Protection

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many data incidents his Department (a) recorded and (b) reported to the Information Commissioner's Office in (i) 2015-16 and (ii) 2016-17.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: 2,519 data incidents were recorded by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for the period 01 April 2015 - 31 March 2016. One was reported to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).4,034 data incidents were recorded by the MOD for the period 01 April 2016 - 31 March 2017. Three were reported to the ICO.

Ministry of Defence: Data Protection

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many times his Department's Senior Information Risk Officer role has been vacant for a week or longer since 2012.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Ministry of Defence Senior Information Risk Officer role has not been vacant during this period.

Nuclear Weapons

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 16 of  Defence Equipment & Support Annual Report and Accounts 2016-17, if he will provide further details of the cost overruns associated with demonstration and manufacture phase projects under the DG Nuclear Command Acquisition and Support Plan.

Harriett Baldwin: The aggregated forecast cost variance of £505.2 million reflects ongoing demonstration and manufacture work associated with the Astute programme.Disclosure of further details may prejudice commercial discussions and interests.

Military Aircraft

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to announce the awarding of contracts for his Department's Air Support to Defence Operational Training programme.

Harriett Baldwin: On current plans, we aim to award the contract for air support to defence operational training in the first quarter of 2020.

Korea: HMS Queen Elizabeth

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to deploy the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier near the Korean peninsula when it enters service.

Mark Lancaster: The details of specific operational deployments will be determined in response to national priorities at the appropriate time.

Shipbuilding: Jarrow

Mr Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if will visit shipyards in Jarrow constituency to demonstrate support for their potential future role in the new National Shipbuilding Strategy and the Type 31e General Purpose Frigate programme.

Harriett Baldwin: Following the launch of the Government's National Shipbuilding Strategy in September, the previous Defence Secretary my right hon. Friend, Sir Michael Fallon, visited A&P Tyne on 30 October 2017 as part of the programme to visit the UK shipyards around the country. We are pleased with the positive engagement that we have received from UK industry on the Type 31e programme.

RM Condor

Kirstene Hair: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the economic contribution of RM Condor to the local area.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: It is Ministry of Defence policy not to provide a breakdown by geographical or economic area of the potential commercial and economic benefits of Government expenditure.

Department for Work and Pensions

Universal Credit

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the cost of operating a paper-based system for private sector landlords to request direct payment for their tenants' housing elements of universal credit?

Damian Hinds: The Department is keeping the process for managed payment to landlords under review as we test and learn from the roll out of Universal Credit. We are also working with landlords to improve the current process for landlords requesting managed payments and how the Department deals with these requests. In May 2016, 34% of Universal Credit claimants with support for housing costs and in social housing had a managed payment to landlord alternative payment arrangement, compared to only 5% for those in private rented accommodation. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/543907/universal-credit-data-on-alternative-payment-arrangements.pdf

Work Capability Assessment

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many full-time equivalent (a) doctors, (b) nurses and (c) psychologists and psychiatrists are employed by each of the sub-contractors that his Department uses to conduct work capability assessments.

Sarah Newton: Work Capability Assessments are delivered by the Centre for Health and Disability Assessments who employ the following full-time equivalent healthcare professionals from the professions identified, based on a November 2017 data: A) 239 full-time equivalent doctors directly employed by Centre for Health and Disability Assessments and in addition 18 full-time equivalent self-employed sessional doctors. It should be noted that some doctors may undertake other assessments within the Health Assessment Advisory Service contract. B) 804 full-time equivalent nurses. C) No psychologists or psychiatrists are currently employed by Centre for Health and Disability Assessments to conduct work capability assessments.

Housing: Energy

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions his Department has had with energy companies on reducing the cost of living for disabled people.

Sarah Newton: Early this year energy companies were contacted by the Department of Work and Pensions to find out whether they offered social tariffs for disabled people. It was found that no special tariffs were offered, however it was identified that people could save money by switching provider. Work coaches are able to direct claimants to switching services via the “Need Help Managing Your Money?” Leaflet. In addition, my colleague the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), published a draft Bill to cap the amount that energy suppliers can charge customers who are on standard variable and default tariffs. This is currently undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny by the BEIS Select Committee. In addition, on 7 December Ofgem announced that it was extending the current safeguard tariff in place for customers on pre-payment meters, to customers in receipt of the Warm Home Discount who are on standard variable or default fixed term tariffs. This will come into effect on 2 February. BEIS is also providing £1.3m funding this winter, for Third Sector organisations to support vulnerable disengaged energy consumers, including disabled households, to switch and save through the Big Energy Saving Network.

Social Security Benefits

Marsha De Cordova: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to protect the income of (a) universal credit claimants and (b) claimants in the Employment and Support Allowance Support Group when they engage in work-related activity.

Sarah Newton: Employment and Support Allowance claimants in the Support Group and Universal Credit claimants in receipt of the Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity element are not required to take part in work-related activity. They are however free to engage in work-related activity on a voluntary basis. If these claimants choose to engage in work-related activity the payment of their benefit will not be affected.

Employment: Disability

Marsha De Cordova: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to Improving Lives: The Future of Work, Health and Disability, published in November 2017, Cm 9526 , if he will take steps to commission specialist external providers to make available high-quality, impairment-specific employment support to help disabled people into the workforce.

Sarah Newton: We have just published Improving Lives: The Future of Work, Health and Disability. This outlines the action taken over the past year, provides a comprehensive strategy and sets out plans over the next ten years, focusing in particular on the next steps planned over the next two to three years. This has been put together in partnership with stakeholders from across the work, health and disability spectrums and follows a thorough 15-week consultation via the Green Paper, which received around 6,000 responses. We have started building an extensive evidence base and are running a series of trials to build this further. Improving Lives includes plans for a broad programme of employment support for disabled people, with a mix of internal and external provision and pan-disability and specialist support. A range of specialist providers are involved, for example in the mental health area where we plan to: double the scale of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) for people with mental health conditions; trial IPS in new settings and for new population groups; and significantly increase the capacity of the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service. A proof of concept of local supported employment will work with experts in helping people with learning disabilities and autism into work. Specialist Employment Support includes providers with specialist expertise in sensory impairments. We have also progressed with roll-out of the Personal Support Package, a range of new measures and interventions designed to offer support which can be tailored to people’s individual needs. Implementation of the Work and Health Programme started at the end of November 2017. This will provide innovative support through local organisations for around 200,000 disabled people over the course of the programme, with the type of support personalised to the needs of each participant. Examples of the type of support available includes participants having a personal key worker with regular 1:1 face to face contact, mentoring and peer support, integrated access to specialist support networks at a local level including health and wellbeing professionals and support from dedicated employer experts with knowledge of the local labour market and job opportunities.

Universal Credit: Glasgow

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons the universal credit full service roll-out to Shettleston Jobcentre has been moved back to December 2018.

Damian Hinds: We have always been clear that we will roll out Universal Credit in a way that allows us to continue to make improvements. To accommodate the Universal Credit measures announced in the Budget, we have modified the rollout schedule to ensure we continue to implement this important welfare reform safely and gradually

Universal Credit

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 8 November 2017 to Question 110869, if he will make it his policy to regularly publish data on universal credit advances by parliamentary constituency.

Damian Hinds: The information is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Personal Independence Payment: Autoimmune Diseases

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions he has had with Capita on improving that company's management of personal independent payment assessments for people with an auto-immune disease.

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions he has had with Capita on improving that company's management of personal independent payment assessments for people with an  a haematological disease.

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions he has had with Atos on improving that company's management of personal independent payment assessments for people with an infectious disease.

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions he has had with Atos on improving that company's management of personal independent payment assessments for people with an auto-immune disease.

Sarah Newton: Department officials meet regularly with PIP Assessment Providers to discuss all aspects of their delivery of PIP assessments, including ensuring it works effectively for people with long-term health conditions or disabilities. PIP is a functional assessment, and addresses the impact of an individual’s medical conditions on their daily life, rather than the medical conditions themselves. There is no requirement for the Health Professional to diagnose a condition or to recommend treatment options. The assessments are undertaken by qualified Health Professionals who are experts in disability analysis with knowledge of the likely functional effects of a wide range of health conditions. They have access to a range of resources as well as experienced clinicians to support them in assessing claimants.

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit: Dupuytren's Contracture

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent progress he has made on plans to include Dupuytren's disease in the list of Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit diseases.

Sarah Newton: After considering the recommendation made by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council, we have decided not to add Dupuytren’s contracture to the list of prescribed diseases.

Universal Credit

Ged Killen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average waiting time was for claimants of universal credit from (a) the opening of a universal credit account and (b) an interview at a job centre to the first payment of universal credit.

Damian Hinds: The information is not available in the format requested. However, we do have data for the declaration date to payment date. Data published on 2 October 2017 shows that, 81% of new Universal Credit households received their first payment in full and on time. Across the whole of Universal Credit 92% of all households received full payment on time. The published data can be found here. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/universal-credit-payment-timeliness-january-to-june-2017 The policy intention is that claimants receive the first payment 5 weeks after their date of entitlement (6 weeks if waiting days are served). This mirrors the world of work and allows for time in which to gather information about a claimant’s earnings. Our internal data shows that for those cases where full payment has not been made, around a sixth, have not signed their Claimant Commitment or passed identity checks . The others have outstanding verification issues, for example, housing, self-employed earnings and child-care costs.

Universal Credit

Ged Killen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has received any representations on technical and administration problems regarding the transfer of claimants from employment and support allowance to universal credit.

Damian Hinds: Our Ministerial Correspondence Team has not received any letters relating to claimants facing technical or administrative problems when transferring from Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to Universal Credit.However, Universal Credit Programme colleagues have received representations from various customer support groups seeking clarification of the ESA to UC journey for their service users. These concerns have been raised informally at engagement events as well as through more formal routes into the Programme. As a result, the Department has worked to produce a set of communications, to help local partnership managers better explain the ESA to UC journey to our stakeholders.In addition we are improving the learning for work coaches and case managers to better understand the process and how to support claimants effectively.

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Anna Turley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that benefit claimants who cannot attend appointments due to adverse weather conditions will not be sanctioned.

Damian Hinds: Nobody is sanctioned where they can demonstrate they had good reason for failing to attend an appointment. Each case is considered individually, taking into account individual and prevailing circumstances. Where adverse weather conditions make it unreasonable for someone to attend, no sanction would be applied.

Personal Independence Payment

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his Department's publication ADM Memo 30/17, if he will publish the criteria used in the LEAP exercise to review awards of personal independent payment claimants who may be affected by the updated PIP Assessment Guidance detailed in the Written Statement of 2 November 2017, HCWS218.

Sarah Newton: The Personal Independence Payments (PIP) Assessment Guidance has been updated to reflect changes in how the Department considers whether an activity can be performed ‘safely’ and whether supervision is required.The criteria that will be followed in the Legal Entitlements and Administrative Practices exercise to review awards of PIP is set out in in this guidance.

Personal Independence Payment

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Written Statement of 2 November 2017, HCWS218, whether previous personal independence payment applicants who may benefit from the update to PIP Assessment Guidance but whose applications were unsuccessful before 9 March 2017 should (a) reapply for PIP, (b) await contact from his Department regarding their claims or (c) request a review of their initial claim in light of the updated guidance.

Sarah Newton: Anyone in payment, or who has had a decision since 9 March, will be covered by the Legal Entitlements and Administrative Practices (LEAP) exercise. The judgment only affects entitlement from the 9 March. In line with legislation, anyone who was disallowed before 9 March would need to re-apply.

Universal Credit: Angus

Kirstene Hair: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate his Department has made of the number of residents who are in receipt of universal credit in Angus constituency .

Damian Hinds: The available information on households in receipt of Universal Credit, by parliamentary constituency, is published and can be found at:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/.Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Buildings

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the (a) location is and (b) running costs are for each building used by his Department.

George Eustice: Please see the attached spreadsheet, which details the information requested. This has been interpreted to be Core Defra occupations only, excluding its Executive Agencies & the Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPB’s). Where buildings are part occupied, only the Core Defra proportion of total gross site costs are included. We have reduced the number of buildings occupied by Core Defra from 29 to 26 since 2010. Running costs have fallen by a quarter, from £35,525,000 to £26,793,000 over the same period.



Defra Building costs
(Excel SpreadSheet, 19.5 KB)

Inland Waterways: Lancashire

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much the Environment Agency plans to spend on navigable waterways in Lancashire in each of the next three years.

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much the Environment Agency has spent on navigable waterways in Lancashire in each of the last five years.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Environment Agency does not have navigation responsibility for any of the rivers or canals in Lancashire and has no plans to invest in those waterways.

Rivers: West Midlands

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent progress he has made on improving the cleanliness of the West Midlands's rivers.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Environment Agency (EA) is leading on innovative ways to address diffuse pollution using satellite, Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) and mapping data. The EA also works with partners and stakeholders to improve the water environment in England. An example is the Waterside Care Initiative, which supports local groups to take practical action to address urban diffuse pollution and poor in-channel habitat. The EA uses evidence to prioritise and target work in areas most at risk from pollution, including both point and diffuse sources. The EA completes its regulatory duties focusing on compliance and enforcement of main polluters. The EA also provides advice and guidance through pollution prevention campaigns. The EA also works with water companies to ensure environmental improvements are delivered via their 5 year investment plans agreed with Ofwat. Severn Trent Water is currently developing designs to improve 92 of its sewage treatment works in the West Midlands. In Coventry South constituency we are currently working with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust who are developing the River Sherbourne Living Landscape Project. Potential project work includes the removal of a culverted section of the river, other river restoration opportunities and Natural Flood Management projects. In the West Midlands Area, in 2016–17, the EA has delivered work designed to enhance 205kms of rivers and streams. This equates to £1,544,000 worth of benefits to the catchments concerned.

Fisheries: West Sussex

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Environment Agency is taking to replenish fish stocks off the coast of West Sussex.

George Eustice: The Environment Agency’s remit includes the management of fisheries for specific migratory stocks such as salmon and sea trout, and shellfish in the 6 mile zone. For wider marine fish stocks that are present along the coast of West Sussex, the UK Government remains committed to ensuring we have sustainable fisheries and a healthy marine environment. This includes restoring and maintaining harvested fish species at above levels which can produce the maximum sustainable yield. The recent management of sea bass and skates and rays is representative of two key stocks, with their geographic distribution including the east Channel, that reflect the ongoing shared management progress towards meeting this commitment. Sea bass are a key species for both anglers and the inshore fleet operating in the east Channel, and have been in decline in EU waters north of 48° North, so have been subject to EU management measures in recent years to recover the stock. At the recent December Council negotiations for 2018 further restrictions on commercial and recreational bass fishing were agreed. The UK aim was to ensure a fishing mortality rate is applied that will help achieve an increase in the spawning stock for the following year, which will support longer term recovery. The main commercial skate and ray species in the Greater North Sea region, which includes the east Channel, are recovering, and this supported our securing a 20% increase to the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) in both of these areas for 2018.

Rivers: West Sussex

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent progress he has made on improving the cleanliness of West Sussex rivers.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Environment Agency (EA) works with partners and stakeholders to improve the water environment. The EA uses evidence to prioritise and target work in areas most at risk from pollution, including both point and diffuse sources. The EA completes its regulatory duties focusing on compliance and enforcement of main polluters. The EA also provides advice and guidance through pollution prevention campaigns. The EA works with and influences Water Companies (Southern Water, South East Water and Portsmouth Water) to make environmental improvements through their business planning processes. This results in further investigations and improvements to Sewage Treatment Works and other works within river catchments. The EA works with two Catchment Partnerships in West Sussex to align priorities and develop joint initiatives to tackle water quality issues across the catchment areas. Partnership projects in West Sussex have delivered 16km of rivers enhanced since January 2016. The EA is working with a wide range of partners throughout West Sussex on projects to be delivered over the next 3 years which will directly or indirectly relate to water quality improvement in rivers. An example of solutions being explored are natural flood management opportunities and working with the landowners to intercept, store and filter run-off containing diffuse pollution.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Brexit

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department (a) has carried out or (b) is carrying out a market access assessment on the implications of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department (a) has drafted or (b) is drafting a market access commission on the implications of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has established a market access commission on the implications of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

George Eustice: We are undertaking a comprehensive programme of analytical work looking at the implications of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The Government is examining all areas of the UK economy and seeking input from a wide range of businesses and industry bodies in order to inform our negotiations with the EU. Our department works closely with the Department for Exiting the European Union to ensure that they are informed of our understanding of these issues.

Carbon Monoxide

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of whether there are areas of the country where levels of carbon monoxide are higher than the recommended safe levels.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: An assessment was carried out in 2013, and showed that all monitored locations in the UK were well below the carbon monoxide (CO) limit value set for the protection of human health (10mg/m3). In addition, levels were below the lower assessment threshold (set at 5mg/m3 or 50% of the limit value). This established no ongoing requirement under the Air Quality Directive to continue monitoring for CO in ambient air in the UK. A core network of seven monitoring sites has been maintained to continue to observe ongoing trends.

Animal Welfare: Sentencing

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (a) how many and (b) what proportion of people sentenced under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 received the maximum tariff for animal cruelty as set out in sentencing guidelines in the 2016 calendar year.

George Eustice: The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates’ courts and sentenced at all courts by maximum sentence length for offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, in England and Wales, from 2012 to 2016, can be viewed in the table. Defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts, sentenced by maximum sentence length at all courts for selected offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (1), England and Wales, 2012 to 2016 (2)(3)(4) 20122013201420152016Proceeded against1,4291,2951,042800768Sentenced1,1321,021815624585of whichFine18217014697116Immediate custody10884825863of whichMaximum sentence 6 months35133 (1) Includes offences under SS 4, 5, 6(1), 6(2), 7, 8.(2) The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.(3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.(4) The number of offenders sentenced can differ from those found guilty as it may be the case that a defendant found guilty in a particular year, and committed for sentence at the Crown Court, may be sentenced in the following year.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Brexit

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has established a market access commission on the implications of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

George Eustice: We are undertaking a comprehensive programme of analytical work looking at the implications of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The Government is examining all areas of the UK economy and seeking input from a wide range of businesses and industry bodies in order to inform our negotiations with the EU. Our department works closely with the Department for Exiting the European Union to ensure that they are informed of our understanding of these issues.

Ritual Slaughter: Animal Welfare

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his policy on recognising animals as sentient beings encroaches on the rights of religious minorities to slaughter animals in accordance with Muslim and Jewish faith traditions.

George Eustice: The Government’s policies on animal welfare have always been driven by the fact the animals are sentient beings. The draft Animal Welfare (Sentencing and Recognition of Sentience) Bill published on 12 December 2017 for consultation gives absolute clarity to that commitment. The draft bill does not affect the right of Jewish and Muslim communities to eat meat from animals slaughtered in accordance with religious rites. There are strict rules that govern the slaughter of animals in England and additional rules which apply to animals slaughtered in accordance with religious rites.

Fisheries: Quotas

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he last met the hon. Member for Aberdeen South to discuss fishing quotas.

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he last met the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan to discuss fishing quotas.

George Eustice: The Secretary of State regularly meets honourable members from across the house to discuss a range of issues.

Water Supply: Technology

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2017 to Question 117510, what discussions his Department has had with Ofwat to ensure that water and sewerage companies adopt the latest technology in leakage detection and that such technology provides value for money.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: In its Price Review 2019 methodology (https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/regulated-companies/price-review/2019-price-review-final-methodology/), Ofwat is challenging companies to commit to achieving at least a 15% reduction in leakage, and to provide a clear explanation where they cannot achieve such a reduction. Companies will need to be both efficient and innovative in addressing leaks in their network. The specific technologies chosen by the companies to detect and manage leaks is a matter for them.

Horses: Animal Welfare

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 3 April 2017 to Question HL6413, on horses: animal welfare, what the timetable is for the update to that code of practice.

George Eustice: We are aiming to lay the Horse code before the end of this year.

Plastics: Seas and Oceans

Mr Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff of his Department are responsible for dealing with reducing the levels of plastic in the oceans.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Given the various sources of plastic that ends up in the marine environment and the transboundary nature of the problem, Defra has a number of teams looking at how we can reduce levels of plastic in the oceans.

Plastics: Seas and Oceans

Mr Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of potential human health hazards posed by rising levels of plastic in the oceans.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The impact of plastic pollution on human health was assessed in a recent report by the Government Science Office titled “Future of the Seas: Plastic Pollution”. This found that the current evidence on the effect of microplastic pollution on human health does not indicate that consumption of fish and shellfish is harmful to human health. It also acknowledged that more work is needed to fully understand the impact of microplastics and macroplastics on the marine environment and potential links to human health.

Birds: Conservation

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to halt the decline of the Aquatic Warbler, Marsh Warbler, Wood Warbler and Savi's Warbler over the last five years.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Wood warblerUnder Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme there is currently a research project in New Forest and Devon which aims to address the drivers behind the wood warbler’s population declines. Aquatic warblerThe aquatic warbler’s most regularly used locations, largely in southern England, are protected and managed within Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), and the two most important are classified as Special Protection Areas. Savi’s warblerSavi’s warbler is a very rare breeding species but most breeding locations are within protected SSSIs. They are given special protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Marsh warblerMarsh warblers are very rare breeding birds; breeding locations are sporadic and transient and much apparently suitable habitat remains unoccupied. Some of the sites historically used by marsh warblers are protected SSSIs. Defra supports the International Convention on Migratory Species and its Migratory Landbirds Action Plan, which promotes positive conservation actions outside the UK nesting areas of the aquatic warbler, marsh warbler, wood warbler and Savi's warbler, which are all trans-Saharan migrants, wintering in Africa.

Fisheries

Holly Lynch: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to bring forward proposals to support smaller scale fleets in the UK by allocating fishing rights according to social and ecological criteria; and if he will make a statement.

George Eustice: We have taken measures in recent years to improve the economic viability of the inshore fleet by awarding uplift quota to support the landing obligation, permanently realigning quota from Producer Organisations to the inshore fleet. We have also addressed latent capacity through a capping exercise to provide greater certainty to those actively fishing in the inshore fleet. We will continue to review our allocation policy to promote sustainable fishing.

Food: Waste

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to discuss with major supermarket chains a proposal to make surplus food available to the food-hungry and to food banks instead of its being treated as food waste; and if he will make a statement.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Through the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) the Government is working with food businesses and other stakeholders in a voluntary approach to reduce food waste, and to help redistribution of edible food when surplus food cannot be avoided. All of the major supermarkets tell us they are carrying out initiatives aimed at increasing store level redistribution, or looking at how to maximise distribution from distribution centres or make it easier for their suppliers to redistribute surplus food. Business signatories to the Courtauld 2025 Commitment, including manufacturers and retailers, are aiming to double the amount of food surplus they send for redistribution between 2015 and 2020.

Pesticides

Angus Brendan MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what role the devolved assemblies will play in the UK’s new pesticide regulatory regime after the UK leaves the EU.

George Eustice: Currently, the EU regulatory regime for plant protection products (pesticides) creates a consistent approach across the UK, but allows for the UK Government and devolved administrations to make some different choices on implementation. We have agreed with the devolved administrations to hold discussions on whether a consistent approach might be needed in future. To allow space for those detailed discussions to continue, the EU (Withdrawal) Bill will replicate the current frameworks provided by EU rules in UK legislation, including the pesticides regime.

Health Hazards: Pesticides

Angus Brendan MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to assess the costs of ill health caused by exposure to pesticides in the UK.

George Eustice: Pesticides are only authorised for use if a scientific risk assessment shows that they are not expected to have a harmful effect on human health. Individual risk assessments are reviewed at regular intervals, and the risk assessment process is kept up to date at EU and national level to ensure that it reflects new knowledge and the latest research. There are established monitoring schemes, such as that operated by the National Poisons Information Service, which are designed to pick up possible health effects. The results from these schemes indicate that the authorisation system is working as intended.

Agriculture: Subsidies

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the current funding system for farm payments will remain in place during the transition period after the UK leaves the EU.

George Eustice: The Government has pledged to continue to commit the same cash total in funds for farm support until the end of this Parliament, expected in 2022. This provides a greater level of security and certainty for farmers and landowners than anywhere else in the EU, where funding is guaranteed only until 2020.Any changes made to agricultural funding would reflect the Government’s aim of securing a better future for UK agriculture and for the environment.

Home Office

Disability: Bullying

Chris Elmore: To ask the Home Secretary, what assessment she has made of the level of bullying reported against disabled people.

Victoria Atkins: The Government is very clear that bullying is unwanted and offensive behaviour and should not be tolerated in any sector of our society. There is no doubt that bullying can be detrimental to the health and well-being of any person who experiences it.Although the very nature of bullying means that it is often a very subjective term, which makes it hard to legislate for, the harassment provisions of the Equality Act 2010 make it clear that any ‘unwanted or prohibited conduct’ related to a protected characteristic (including disability), which violates an individual’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them, is unlawful. Bullying behaviours may also, in some circumstances, be proscribed by the victimisation provisions of the Act.The Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) record the number of calls they receive about harassment and victimisation of disabled people and have reported that, between 1 October 2016, when the current EASS contract started, and 31 October 2017 there were 590 contacts from disabled people about harassment or victimisation, out of a total of 11,817 disability-related calls.In 2016/17 5,558 disability hate crimes were recorded by the police. Not all incidents of bullying will be classed as hate crimes or even reported to the police; however, there may be some instances that escalate to become disability hate crimes.

Fire and Rescue Services: Statistics

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to provide a set formula for how Fire and Rescue Authorities collect data on fire and non-fire incidents.

Mr Nick Hurd: Since 2009 all GB Fire and Rescue Services have collected fire and non-fire incident data using the web based Incident Recording System which provides a standard template and is supported by detailed guidance about how to complete the form.

Home Office: EU Nationals

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many non-UK EU nationals started employment in her Department since 23 June 2016.

Brandon Lewis: All Government Departments are bound by legal requirements concerning the right to work in the UK and, in addition, the Civil Service Nationality Rules.Evidence of nationality is checked at the point of recruitment into the Civil Service as part of wider pre-employment checks, but there is no requirement on departments to retain this information beyond the point at which it has served its purpose.

Fraud

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the new economic crime strategic board will be instituted.

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Written Statement of 11 December 2017, on economic crime and anti-corruption, HCWS329, what funding has been allocated to the new national economic crime centre.

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many staff will be employed to work at the national economic crime centre.

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the written ministerial statement of 11 December on Economic crime and anti-corruption, HCWS329, how many people will be employed in the team dedicated to use the power in the Criminal Finances Act 2017 to forfeit criminal money held in suspended bank accounts.

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of the 11 December 2017, HCWS329, on Economic crime and anti-corruption, how much additional funding she plans to allocate to the (a) Serious Fraud Office and (b) National Crime Agency.

Mr Nick Hurd: The new National Economic Crime Centre has £6m in funding allocated to it in the 18/19 financial year.  The Home Office is working with partners across government, law enforcement, regulators and the private sector on the design of the National Economic Crime Centre. It is too early in the design and build process to confirm final staffing numbers.Home Office and law enforcement agencies are working together to determine the size of the team that will lead the work to use the power in the Criminal Finances Act 2017 to forfeit criminal money held in suspended bank accounts. We have not yet determined the exact size of that team.Decisions on the overall funding of the SFO, NCA and other law enforcement agencies is agreed through the Spending Review process.The inaugural meeting of the Economic Crime Strategic Board will take place in the first quarter of 2018.

Members: Correspondence

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he plans to answer the recent correspondence from Paul Robinson a constituent of the hon. Member for Sefton Central related to the Hillsborough disaster.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Home Office has no record of receiving recent correspondence from Paul Robinson.

Fire and Rescue Services: Pay

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Policing and the Fire Service of 20 November 2017, Official Report, column 712, what the evidential basis is for the £616 million of reserves cited.

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Policing and the Fire Service of 20 November 2017, Official Report, column 713, what the evidential basis is for the £2.3 billion of public money in the fire service cited.

Mr Nick Hurd: DCLG publish financial information from all local authorities. The information on Fire and Rescue Authority reserves as at March 2017 can be found at the following link; https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/local-authority-revenue-expenditure-and-financing-england-2016-to-2017-individual-local-authority-data-outturn.Fire and Rescue is funded via revenue support grant (RSG), retained business rates and council tax (precept). Fire and Rescue also receive national resilience grants directly from the Home Office which in 2017/18 are worth £28m. DCLG settlement documents showing allocations for RSG and business rates can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-government-finance-report-2017-to-2018. DCLG also publishes core spending power for all local authorities (core spending power includes revenue support grant, retained business rates and council tax). This can be found at the following link https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/core-spending-power-final-local-government-finance-settlement-2017-to-2018

Stop and Search: Ports and Airports

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she will direct Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary to review (a) the use by the police of powers in Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2007 to stop and search people at ports and airports and (b) whether those powers are used disproportionately on ethnic minority groups.

Mr Nick Hurd: Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Service (HMICFRS) runs an annual public consultation on its inspection programme through which we ensure the inspectorate is sighted on Ministerial prioritiesThe programme is approved by the Home Secretary before it is published.The exercise of police powers such as Schedule 7 is already annually reviewed by the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation (IRTL), who reports on the operation of the Terrorism Act 2000 and powers including Schedule 7.All police forces refer complaints alleging discriminatory use of Schedule 7 powers to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) for investigation. IPCC investigations are part of the evidence considered by the IRTL.In his annual review of 2013 IRTL David Anderson QC reported that he had “no reason to believe that Schedule 7 powers are exercised in a racially discriminatory way”, a view he repeated in subsequent reports. The first report of the current IRTL Max Hill QC is yet to issue.

Abortion: Freedom of Expression

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the protection of the right of freedom of expression for people who are opposed to the practice of abortion.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Home Secretary announced on 26 November that she has ordered a review into harassment and intimidation near abortion clinics following concerns about the aggressive tactics of some campaigners.The Review will gather evidence from police forces, healthcare providers, local authorities, from representative groups of the clients and also those engaging in protests and demonstrations.

Firearms: Licensing

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2017 to Question 6341, when she expects to make a decision on fees for firearm and shotgun licences administered by the police.

Mr Nick Hurd: Fees for firearm and shotgun licences issued by the police remain under review. These were last increased in 2015 to enable police forces to achieve full cost recovery when a new online licensing system becomes operational. Work is continuing on this, including whether improvements can be made to the existing IT system. We are not proposing to make changes to the fees until further progress has been made on this.

101 Calls: Fees and Charges

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make the non-emergency police phone number 101 a free-to-use service.

Mr Nick Hurd: There is no obligation on telecom service providers to supply the 101 service free of charge as is the case with 999 under the 2003 Communications Act.Calls to 101 cost 15p from mobile devices and landlines, regardless of duration. They are free from payphones.

Abortion: Clinics

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to introduce legislative proposals to protect abortion clinics from on-going demonstrations outside their premises; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Home Secretary announced on 26 November that she has ordered a review into harassment and intimidation near abortion clinics following concerns about the aggressive tactics of some campaigners.The Review will gather evidence from police forces, healthcare providers, local authorities, from representative groups of the clients and also those engaging in protests and demonstrations, before considering what further action the government can take to protect those using or working in abortion clinics.

Firearms: Licensing

Sir Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of current firearms legislation in controlling the risk to the public from the legal ownership of firearms.

Mr Nick Hurd: The firearms licensing system is kept under review to safeguard against abuse and to maintain public safety. We have taken forward a range of measures to strengthen the controls including:- two new offences to tighten controls on deactivated firearms and imitation firearms in the Policing and Crime Act 2017;- a consultation on defining antique firearms in statute, to provide legal  clarity and prevent them falling into criminal hands. Responses to the consultation are currently being considered;- a consultation on proposals to prohibit two types of firearm of particular concern: large calibre rifles and certain rapid firing rifles. Responses to the consultation are currently being considered; and,- we have commenced a review of the regulation of air weapons.The Government will continue to keep firearms legislation under review to ensure it remains effective in preventing misuse, while ensuring lawful owners can continue to use their firearms safely.

Police: Pay

Sir Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on changes to police pay in 2018-19.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Home Secretary wrote to the Chair of the Police Remuneration Review Body on 7 December asking them to conduct their annual review of police pay for the 2018-19 pay round. Discussions with the Chancellor on the pay round for 2018-19 will be held in due course.

Scotland Office

Scotland Office: Written Questions

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, (a) how many and (b) what proportion of his Department's Answers to Written Parliamentary Questions have advised that the requested information was not available on the grounds of disproportionate cost associated with data collection and collation in the current session.

David Mundell: None. This is out of a total of 161 parliamentary questions that have been answered (as at 13 December).

Food Banks: Scotland

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he plans to visit a food bank in January 2018.

David Mundell: I currently have no plans to visit a food bank in my capacity as Secretary of State for Scotland in January 2018.

Scotland Office: Families

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Answer of 30 November 2017 to Question HL3576, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen families.

David Mundell: This week the UK Government announced that Tax-Free Childcare is now available to around 120,000 families in Scotland whose youngest child is under six. Parents, including the self-employed, can apply online for Tax-Free Childcare – part of the government’s Childcare Choices offer – for children who were aged under six on 24 November 2017. It will cut childcare costs for working families by up to £2,000 per child per year, or £4,000 for disabled children. This is a good example of how the UK Government is delivering for people in Scotland. By helping Scottish households keep more of what they earn and supporting them with the cost of living we are building a stronger economy and fairer society that improves lives and creates opportunity.

Scotland Office: Data Protection

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many times his Department's Senior Information Risk Officer role has been vacant for a week or longer since 2012.

David Mundell: Since 2012, the role has been vacant, on one occasion, for longer than a week. This was due to a gap between Senior Civil Servant appointments, when the Senior Information Risk Officer role was vacant. During this period, Senior Information Risk Officer responsibilities were undertaken by the Department’s Data Protection Officer.

Scotland Office: Advertising

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Answer of 6 September 2017 to Question 6287, what external advisers or companies his Department has used for advertising in each of the last four years.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office has worked with the following external advisers/companies for advertising in each of the last four years. These companies were procured through standard Crown Commercial procedure.2014Nil2015Nil2016Nil2017The Leith Agency, Carat Ltd.

HM Treasury

Tobacco: Smuggling

Martyn Day: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will introduce legislative proposals to introduce licensing for tobacco manufacturing machinery in accordance with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Illicit Trade Protocol.

Andrew Jones: Legislation for the licensing of tobacco manufacturing machinery in accordance with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Illicit Trade Protocol was included in the Finance (No 2) Act 2017. Draft implementing regulations were published for consultation on 7 November 2017 and will be laid before Parliament in the new year.

Revenue and Customs: Training

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what level of expertise HM Revenue and Customs staff have on customs procedures; whether such expertise is accredited through (a) formal qualifications and (b) membership of professional bodies; and how many such staff are trained to the level of the BTEC intermediate award in Customs Export and Import Procedures.

Mel Stride: HMRC is recognised globally as a leading customs authority and for the professionalism and expertise of its staff. HMRC staff are trained in customs procedures through a comprehensive internal blended Learning Framework that includes formal learning, coaching, mentoring, practical application, and mandatory continuous professional development. This blended Learning Framework covers all the tax areas HMRC is responsible for. HMRC no longer aligns its training programme with BTEC qualifications, and instead relies on the Learning Framework which has been designed to build capability in incremental stages. This ensures that HMRC has the high quality training necessary to meet their bespoke knowledge and skills requirements. Ongoing assessment through a Quality Assurance Framework is used to ensure the capability of staff to carry out their role. External accreditation includes World Customs Organization training in specialist areas such as Strategic Trade Control Enforcement.

Revenue and Customs

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to increase the capacity of the HM Revenue Customs (HMRC) in customs regulations and procedures in the next twelve months; and where HMRC has advertised additional posts?

Mel Stride: HMRC continues to consider staffing requirements, including for customs regulations and procedures, as part of its planning for EU Exit. HMRC is considering a number of resourcing options including redeployment of existing staff and use of existing reserve lists to fill additional posts as part of that process. Recruitment to the Civil Service typically involves advertisement on Civil Service Jobs.

Revenue and Customs: ICT

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to increase information technology skills in the HM Revenue and Customs needed for the planned introduction of the CHIEF system and the extension of existing customs processing systems?

Mel Stride: Introducing the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) Programme is a key priority for HMRC, and we are ensuring that it has the resources that it needs for both the development and subsequent operation. This includes active recruitment, reprioritising resources and adapting existing supporting organisations within the department. We are migrating customers from the current CHIEF system to CDS between August 2018 and January 2019, when CDS is due to be fully rolled out.

Channel Crossing: Customs

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions (a) his Department and (b) HM Revenue and Customs have had bilaterally with customs officers and management at the port of Calais on potential capacity issues at the French end of the Eurotunnel and ferry services?

Mel Stride: The Government recognises the importance of trade fluidity through the UK’s key ports to the country’s economy. The Government is committed to maintaining trade fluidity, so traffic can flow as freely possible through ferry ports and the Channel Tunnel.Negotiating guidelines for EU exit mean that there is a two stage process to negotiations. The UK Government looks forward to discussing the UK’s future customs arrangements with the EU as part of the next stage of negotiations.

Money Laundering

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason the decision was taken to exempt Companies House from the requirements of anti-money laundering due diligence during company registration; and whether that decision was as a result of the statutory status of Companies' House.

Stephen Barclay: This Government is committed to ensuring that the UK is a hostile environment for illicit finance. The UK’s anti-money laundering regime is based on risk to reduce the burdens placed on legitimate businesses. The EU’s 4th Money Laundering Directive, which has recently been transposed into UK law, does not require national company registers to conduct due diligence upon companies at formation. Higher risk company formation activities in the UK will generally be done via Trust or Company Service Providers, who are subject to the Money Laundering Regulations. Companies House employs systematic checks for accuracy, and has implemented a number of reforms to improve the quality of data. The most recent reform was adding a “Report It Now” feature in July 2017 to make it easier for users of the register to report any concerns with the data. While the function is relatively new, Companies House are receiving between 180-200 contacts a day through this service. Additional reforms underway include improved procedures to follow-up and cleanse redundant entries, and increased automation to reduce errors. Maintaining one of the most open and extensively accessed company registers in the world – viewed over 2 billion times last year – is a powerful tool in identifying false, inaccurate, or possibly fraudulent information. Furthermore, the Government has a statutory obligation to review the operation of the People with Significant Control Register in 2019. This review will consider statistics on the operation of the register and evidence from the main users (law enforcement, obliged entities and civil society) and from the companies that supply the information.

Treasury: Written Questions

Chris Ruane: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, (a) how many and (b) what proportion of his Department's Answers to Written Parliamentary Questions have advised that the requested information was not available on the grounds of disproportionate cost associated with data collection and collation in the current session.

Andrew Jones: The Treasury have answered 39 written parliamentary questions explaining that the requested information was not available on the grounds of disproportionate cost during the current session. This is out of a total of 1796 parliamentary questions that have been answered.

Defibrillators: VAT

Thelma Walker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the accrued to the public purse from VAT on community-purchased defibrillators in each of the last five financial years.

Mel Stride: This level of detail is not required on VAT returns, so there is not data available on how much revenue is raised on the purchase of particular products.

Environment Protection: Taxation

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will set out in pounds per tonne of Carbon what estimate he has made of the total carbon price in pounds per tonne in the years 2018 to 2025.

Andrew Jones: The Total Carbon Price is currently made up of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme Price and the Carbon Price Support. In 2014, the Carbon Price Support was frozen at £18 per tonne of carbon from 2016/17 until 2020. In 2016, the Chancellor announced that the Carbon Price Support for 2020/21 will be uplifted with RPI. In Autumn Budget 2017, the Chancellor announced that the Total Carbon Price would be maintained similar to its current level until unabated coal is no longer used.

Emergency Services: Scotland

Ged Killen: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answer of 5 December 2017 to Question 116912, whether it is his policy to bring forward legislative proposals to refund all VAT paid by Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service since the establishment of those services in 2013.

Mel Stride: Autumn Budget 2017 announced the government’s intention to amend legislation so that Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be eligible for VAT refunds from April 2018. This change will be enacted through the Finance Bill and will save these services c.£40 million a year.

Treasury: Families

Fiona Bruce: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 30 November 2017 to Question HL3576, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen families.

Elizabeth Truss: At the Autumn Budget the government announced that it will continue to provide funding for DWP’s relationship support work, to help keep families together and reduce parental conflict. The government will also be investing around £6 billion every year by 2020 in childcare support - more than ever before. The government applies the Family Test to all its policies, to ensure that potential impacts on family relationships are recognised in the process of developing new policy.

Revenue and Customs: Training

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what comparative assessment he has made of the number of HM Revenue and Customs staff trained in customs regulations and procedures  with the number of such staff in other EU countries per capita of relative population size.

Mel Stride: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has not carried out a comparative assessment of the numbers of trained customs staff across EU countries. The European Commission collates data on the number of customs staff in the EU but recognises that Member States are not able to provide definitive answers. This is because the administrative structures to deliver customs functions differ considerably across the EU. Customs functions are often merged with tax administrations or interior ministries and this prevents a comparative assessment between Member States from being undertaken.

Treasury: Families

Fiona Bruce: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, to which legislation his Department has applied the Family Test, published in August 2014.

Mel Stride: As announced by the Prime Minister in August 2014, the objective of the Family Test is to introduce an explicit family perspective to the policy making process, and ensure that potential impacts on family relationships are recognised in the process of developing new policy. The Treasury carefully considers all relevant obligations, including the family test, when formulating all policies including those delivered through primary and secondary legislation.

Exeter-Plymouth Railway Line

Luke Pollard: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on allocating funding in line with the Peninsula Rail Task Force group's recommendations to improve journey times between Plymouth and Exeter.

Elizabeth Truss: The Secretary of State for Transport has regular bilateral meetings with the Chancellor, discussing a range of issues. Decisions on allocation of funding for rail enhancements are a matter for the Secretary of State for Transport.

Charities: VAT

Mr David Jones: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of opportunities to reform the VAT system to support the charity sector following the UK’s departure from the EU.

Mel Stride: All taxes remain under review and future decisions on VAT will be continue to be taken as part of the normal Budget process following the UK’s departure from the European Union. In the meantime, the UK remains a member of the EU and will continue to meet its rights and obligations. That includes the application of EU VAT rules.

First Time Buyers: Stamp Duty Land Tax

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether first time buyers on Share to Buy schemes can access the reduction in stamp duty announced in the Autumn Budget 2017.

Mel Stride: Relief for first time buyers is available for shared ownership schemes in respect of the grant of a shared ownership lease on which the buyer has opted to be taxed on the market value of the property.Where market value treatment does not apply or has not been opted for, relief for first time buyers is not available in respect of shared ownership schemes.

Revenue and Customs: Data Protection

Jon Trickett: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many data incidents HM Revenue and Customs (a) recorded and (b) reported to the Information Commissioner's Office in (i) 2015-16 and (ii) 2016-17.

Mel Stride: HMRC recorded 31 data incidents 2015-16 and 15 in 2016-17. 5 incidents were reported to the Information Commissioner's Office in 2015-16 and 5 in 2016-17.

Tax Collection

Darren Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HM Revenue and Customs uses fully automated processes to (a) calculate under or overpayments of tax and (b) notify taxpayers of such under or overpayments of tax..

Darren Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HM Revenue and Customs has sent any inaccurate notifications of under or over payments of tax due to the use of fully automated processes.

Mel Stride: At the end of each tax year HMRC reconciles the PAYE accounts of individual customers who are outside Self-Assessment. This exercise is called End of Year Reconciliation. Information used includes the final pay and tax deductions for the year as reported by employers, alongside taxable benefits and any additional income/benefits supplied by the individual customer. In addition, HMRC carries out assurance checks to ensure that the calculation is correct. Some re-calculations may be necessary if the position has changed, for example, due to further changes to income, expenses claims, or benefits.

Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation

Sir Michael Fallon: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of Equitable Life policyholders who have received payments (a) of less than a quarter of their relative losses, (b) more than a quarter of their relative losses and (c) totalling their relative losses.

Stephen Barclay: I refer the right honourable member to my answer of 7 November 2017 (PQ 110748).

Universities

Simon Hoare: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the universities sector on mitigating any negative effect on the sector after the UK leaves the EU.

Elizabeth Truss: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel The government is committed to maintaining the position of our world-class universities and is listening closely to the sector as we implement the Higher Education and Research Act 2017 and begin the exit process from the European Union. The Chancellor has recently met the Russell Group in this regard.

Income Tax: Angus

Kirstene Hair: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people paid the (a) top, (b) higher and (c) basic rate of income tax in Angus constituency in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Mel Stride: Estimates of the number of individuals in Angus parliamentary constituency by their highest marginal rate of income tax for the tax years 2010-11 to 2014-15 are provided in the following table.  Tax YearBasic RateHigher RateAdditional Rate2010-1136,2003,500..2011-1236,5004,700..2012-1336,5005,000..2013-1434,7005,9004002014-1536,3006,000400Source: Survey of Personal Incomes Notes on the table1 Figures have been rounded to the nearest one hundred.2 The 2014-15 tax year is the latest year for which these figures are available.3 The Survey of Personal Incomes (SPI) is based on a sample of taxpayers. Values in the table based on particularly small numbers of taxpayers have been suppressed, to protect the confidentiality of individuals’ information.4 Symbols used in the table:.. Suppressed- Negligible. Not applicable5 As is the case with the published Personal Incomes Statistics, these figures are statistical estimates and will be subject to sampling variation. The sample is not stratified by geography and all SPI estimates for sub-UK geographical areas (e.g. by country, region, county, parliamentary constituency, etc.) should therefore be treated with caution. For further information, please see the Personal Incomes Statistics release (Annex B), at the link below.https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/personal-incomes-statistics

North Sea Oil: Pipelines

Alex Cunningham: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the (a) direct and (b) indirect costs to the public purse of the decision by Ineos to invoke a force majeure clause in its contract for the Forties pipeline.

Elizabeth Truss: The government is monitoring the situation with the Forties Pipeline System closely. Energy Minister Richard Harrington has spoken to Ineos and the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy continues to liaise with industry operators to monitor the situation. Any material economic or fiscal effects would be considered by the Office for Budget Responsibility as part of their next forecasts at Spring Statement.

Self-employed: Tax Allowances

Martyn Day: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will establish a new tax allowance covering digital training costs incurred by self-employed businesses.

Martyn Day: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will bring forward proposals to allow tax-deductions for training courses for the self-employed that develop (a) digital training and (b) other new skills.

Mel Stride: Expenditure on training to maintain or update existing skills, including digital skills, is already tax deductible for self-employed individuals when it is wholly and exclusively for the purposes of the business. As announced at Autumn Budget 2017, the government will consult in 2018 on extending the scope of tax relief currently available to employees and the self-employed for work-related training costs. This consultation will cover the tax treatment of new skills.

Cryptocurrencies

Chris Evans: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the value of assets held by the Government in digital currencies is.

Stephen Barclay: The Government does not have any holdings of digital currencies.

Cryptocurrencies: Tax Collection

Chris Evans: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Government has made an estimate of potential savings to the public purse arising from UK taxpayers being able to pay their taxes in digital currencies.

Mel Stride: HMRC does not currently offer digital currencies as a payment method and there are no plans to do so in the future.

Department for Exiting the European Union

Borders: Northern Ireland

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what recent representations he has made and discussions he has held with the EU on the future of the UK-Ireland land border.

Mr Robin Walker: The UK has made extensive representations on this issue throughout all negotiating rounds with the European Commission. There is much agreement between the UK and the EU on the proposals for how to address the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland and Ireland in light of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. The joint report between the UK and the EU makes clear our steadfast commitment to the Belfast (‘Good Friday’) Agreement, including the principle of consent; the continuation of the Common Travel Area and associated rights; and the vital objective of avoiding any physical infrastructure on the land border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. We are committed to finding a practical solution that recognises the unique economic, social and political context of the land border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. We are clear that we will not agree anything that threatens the constitutional or economic integrity of the UK.

Shipping: Coastal Areas

Brendan O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU on (a) coastal communities and (b) local economies with a significant marine sector.

Mr Robin Walker: As part of our work preparing to make a success of our departure from the European Union we are carrying out a full suite of analysis as you would expect a responsible Government to do. This means looking at 58 sectors as well as cross-cutting regulatory, economic and social issues to help inform our negotiating position.. We are examining all areas of the UK economy and seeking input from a wide range of stakeholders. This sectoral analysis sits alongside regional and small business engagement across the UK.The Government’s Maritime and Ports sectoral report sets out a description of the sector, the current EU regulatory regime, existing frameworks for how trade is facilitated between countries in this sector and sector views. This report has been made available for members of both Houses to read in a secure reading room. We are committed to the best possible deal for the United Kingdom - a deal that works for the entirety of the UK economy. We have been engaging with businesses and industry bodies from all sectors of the economy and parts of the UK in order to inform our negotiations with the EU.

EU Emissions Trading Scheme

John McNally: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether the UK will remain in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme after the UK leaves the EU.

Mr Robin Walker: We are considering the UK’s future participation in the EU ETS as part of delivering a wider negotiated settlement that is in the best interests of the UK. There are a wide range of options and we are assessing these carefully. The government's clean growth strategy published in October set out our clear commitment to continue growing our national income while cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The UK remains committed to domestic and international efforts to tackle climate change and the UK's commitment to the Paris Climate Change Agreement is as strong as ever.

Department for Exiting the European Union: Brexit

Jo Platt: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether his Department has conducted market access assessments in respect of the UK leaving the EU.

Mr Robin Walker: We are undertaking a comprehensive programme of analytical work looking at the implications of UK withdrawal from the EU. The Government is examining all areas of the UK economy and seeking input from a wide range of businesses and industry bodies in order to inform our negotiations with the EU.

Trade Agreements

Mr Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what steps he is taking to ensure that the terms of the UK's new partnership with the EU after March 2019 enable the UK to reach new free trade agreements with non-EU countries; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Robin Walker: Leaving the EU offers us an opportunity to forge a new role for ourselves in the world: to negotiate our own trade agreements and to be a positive and powerful force for free trade. As part of our preparations for exiting the EU the Government is consulting a wide range of stakeholders on future trade agreements. The Government is currently analysing responses to its Trade White Paper, and will return to Parliament with proposals in the coming months. The UK intends to pursue new trade negotiations with others during an implementation period, though we would not bring into effect any new arrangements with third countries that were not consistent with the terms of our agreement on an implementation period with the EU.

Department for International Trade

Department for International Trade: Data Protection

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many data incidents his Department (a) recorded and (b) reported to the Information Commissioner's Office in (i) 2015-16 and (ii) 2016-17.

Greg Hands: The Department for International Trade (DIT) was formed in 2016. From its creation to 31st March 2017, DIT recorded one data incident. It did not contain sufficient personal data to warrant a report to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Young People

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make it her policy to include responsibility for young people within the portfolio of a specified Minister; to establish a champion for young people; and take steps to ensure co-ordination of policy regarding young people across all Government Departments.

Tracey Crouch: Youth policy is already part of my Ministerial portfolio. Making sure young people can access the support and opportunities they need to fulfil their potential is a priority across Government. Departments collaborate closely on policies relating to young people and as demonstrated by the attendance of the Secretary of State for Education and the Minister for Sport and Civil Society at the recent Youth Parliament, Ministers are personally committed to championing young people.

Musicians: Free Movement of People

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU on (a) UK and (b) non-UK EU touring musicians.

Matt Hancock: Since the referendum we have held a series of ministerial meetings and roundtables with the creative industries on the impact and opportunities of the UK leaving the EU. These meetings have included input from the UK music industry on the impact of leaving the EU on touring musicians. We are committed to supporting and promoting a thriving live music industry and ensuring the continued growth of this vital and vibrant sector.

Arts: Meetings

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to her Department's publication Ministerial Meetings: January to March 2017, if she will publish the names of the attendees at the Arts and Museums Roundtable attended by Robin Walker MP.

John Glen: We do not publish names of attendees to encourage full and frank dialogue in such meetings.

Telecommunications

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to her Department's publication Ministerial Meetings: January to March 2017, if she will publish the names of the attendees at the Telecoms Roundtable attended by Robin Walker MP.

Matt Hancock: We do not publish names of attendees to encourage full and frank dialogue in such meetings.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Families

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, to which legislation her Department has applied the Family Test, published in August 2014.

Matt Hancock: The government is committed to supporting families. To achieve this, in 2014 we introduced the Family Test, which aims to ensure that impacts on family relationships and functioning are recognised early on during the process of policy development and help inform the policy decisions made by Minsters. The Family Test was not designed to be a ‘tick-box’ exercise, and as such there is no requirement for departments to publish the results of assessments made under the Family Test.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport	: Brexit

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has established a market access commission on the implications of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department (a) has carried out or (b) is carrying out a market access assessment on the implications of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department (a) has drafted or (b) is drafting a market access commission on the implications of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

Matt Hancock: We are undertaking a comprehensive programme of analytical work looking at the implications of UK withdrawal from the EU. The Government is examining all areas of the UK economy and seeking input from a wide range of businesses and industry bodies in order to inform our negotiations with the EU. Our department works closely with the Department for Exiting the European Union to ensure that they are informed of our understanding of these issues.

UK Anti-doping: Legal Costs

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if her Department will take steps to cover the legal costs of UK  Anti-Doping as part of the ongoing tailored review.

Tracey Crouch: The Tailored Review, which we are currently carrying out, is assessing all areas of UK Anti-Doping’s efficiency, effectiveness and governance and how it is preparing for the future.

Ofcom: Complaints

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the comprehensiveness and quality of Ofcom’s quarterly telecoms complaints data in terms of enabling consumers to make informed decisions; and if she will make a statement.

Matt Hancock: Ofcom publishes quarterly data on the number of complaints it receives about communications providers. In addition, the government has recently legislated in the Digital Economy Act 2017 to give Ofcom the power to collect and publish a wider range of service quality data from providers. This data will be published in Ofcom’s annual Comparing Service Quality reports and will ensure that consumers have access to better and more comprehensive data on service quality metrics in addition to complaints statistics.

Ofcom: Complaints

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of including data from Alternative Dispute Resolution schemes in Ofcom’s quarterly telecoms complaints data in order to enable consumers to make better informed decisions; and if she will make a statement.

Matt Hancock: CISAS and Ombudsman Services: Communications are the two Ofcom-accredited providers of Alternative Dispute Resolutions for telecoms customers. Both are required by Ofcom to publish data on the types of complaints that are referred to them and the outcomes that are reached in these cases. This and other data about Alternative Dispute Resolution is available in quarterly reports on their websites.

Northern Ireland Office

Apprentices: Northern Ireland

David Simpson: What steps he is taking to encourage the promotion of apprenticeships in Northern Ireland.

Chloe Smith: We are committed to reaching our pledge of 3 million apprenticeships by 2020.Through our Industrial Strategy we are committed to helping young people across the country develop the skills they need for the future.Promoting apprenticeships in Northern Ireland is, though, a devolved matter for a restored Executive to drive forward.

Brexit: Northern Ireland

Tom Pursglove: What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union on ensuring that Northern Irish interests are represented in the UK's negotiations with the EU.

James Brokenshire: As Secretary of State I will continue to ensure that the interests of NI are heard and remain at the heart of the negotiations and wider discussions across Whitehall as we prepare to leave the EU.

Northern Ireland Government

Emma Little Pengelly: What plans he has to ensure that democratic accountability is maintained in Northern Ireland in the absence of an Assembly and Executive.

James Brokenshire: The UK Government continues to encourage and work with the parties towards the restoration of devolution. If an Executive is not restored soon, the Government will consider what further steps may be needed to fulfil our ongoing responsibility to ensure political stability and good governance in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Government

Stephen Morgan: What assessment he has made of the conditions under which the UK Government would impose direct rule on Northern Ireland.

James Brokenshire: The Government is committed to the restoration of devolution in Northern Ireland but the current impasse cannot continue indefinitely. If an Executive is not restored early in the New Year the Government will need to consider next steps.

Department of Health

Rare Diseases

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to ensure that researchers in the UK can continue to access pan-EU patient cohorts for rare disease and other special populations after the UK has withdrawn from the EU; and if he will make a statement.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Government's policy paper, Collaboration on Science and Innovation: A Future Partnership Paper, emphasises the importance of continued collaboration with European partners to ensure that the United Kingdom remains one of the best places in the world for science and innovation. European Reference Networks for rare diseases were cited in the paper as an example of a partnership that the UK believes should continue. A key principle for the Government is that patients should not be put at a disadvantage as a result of European Union-exit.

Incinerators: Health Hazards

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, on what date the study on incinerators by the Small Area Health Statistics Unit will be published.

Steve Brine: It is expected that papers from the project will be submitted by the Small Area Health Statistics Unit to peer reviewed journals in early 2018, and it is likely that the papers will be published a few months after submission.

Genito-urinary Medicine: Greater London

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2017 to Question 112168, on Genito-urinary Medicine: Greater London, which non-compliance clauses have been triggered by the later than originally planned start date in the e-service contract for the London Sexual Health Transformation Programme .

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2017 to Question 112168, on Genito-urinary Medicine: Greater London, if he will confirm when he expects the evaluation framework for the online e-service as part of the London Sexual Health Transformation Programme to be completed, and if he will place a copy in the Library.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2017 to Question 112168, on Genito-urinary Medicine: Greater London, what interim measures for physical or online service delivery have been put in place as a result of the delayed commencement of the online e-service contract; which London boroughs have implemented interim measures and what the costs of interim measures are for each borough.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2017 to Question 112168, on Genito-urinary Medicine: Greater London, if it remains his Department's policy for the the online e-service of the London Sexual Health Transformation Programme to commence in January 2018; and whether a later commencement date would be considered a breach of contract.

Steve Brine: Responsibility for commissioning open access sexual health services is devolved to local authorities through the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Public Health England does not engage in the detailed procurement process of individual services. Delivery of the London Sexual Health Transformation Programme e-service is the responsibility of local authorities and it is for local authority commissioners to determine the start date for the service and when an evaluation framework will be made available. It is anticipated that the e-service will commence in January 2018. Where interim service arrangements are required locally ahead of commencement of the e-service they will be agreed and implemented by the relevant local authority. Any cost linked to these interim measures will vary depending on local arrangements.

Genito-urinary Medicine: Greater London

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2017 to Question 112169, on Genito-urinary Medicine: Greater London, whether the value of the contract for the e-healthcare service procured as part of the London Sexual Health Transformation Programme has been altered as a result of the delay to the implementation of that service.

Steve Brine: Responsibility for commissioning open access sexual health services is devolved to local authorities through the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Information on the detail of local authority procurement processes is not held centrally.

Genito-urinary Medicine: Greater London

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2017 to Question 111309, on Genito-urinary Medicine: Greater London, if he will place in the Library the specialist advice given to the London Sexual Health Transformation Programme by Public Health England on (a) best practice, (b) behavioural change approaches and (c) the evaluation and development of service standards.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2017 to Question 111309, on Genito-urinary Medicine: Greater London, how much funding from the Public Health England budget has been allocated to  support the London Sexual Health Transformation Programme.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2017 to Question 111309, on Genito-urinary Medicine: Greater London, whether the delay to the commencement of the online e-service as part of the London Sexual Health Transformation Programme was a result (a) the service provider (b) commissioners.

Steve Brine: Co-commissioning and collaboration by commissioners offers an efficient way for delivery of sexual health services. To support commissioning bodies to ensure the delivery of high quality sexual health, reproductive health and HIV services, in line with their responsibilities set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012, Public Health England (PHE) produced the Making It Work guidance in 2015. It is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/commissioning-sexual-health-reproductive-health-and-hiv-services Specialist advice to the London Sexual Health Transformation Programme has been provided by PHE as part of the collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to the programme on an ongoing basis. This included advice on the clinical specification as part of themultidisciplinary clinical advisory group which produced a template specification for physical clinical services. Unwritten advice has been given on the evaluation which we would expect to produce written products in due course. PHE has not allocated funding to support the London Sexual Health Transformation Programme. Responsibility for commissioning open access sexual health services is devolved to local authorities through the Health and Social Care Act 2012. PHE does not engage in the detailed procurement process of individual services but we understand arrangements for physical or online service delivery are being put in place locally.

Liver Diseases: Health Services

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of (a) the proportion of patients with decompensated cirrhosis seen by a specialist (i) within 24 hours and (ii) up to 72 hours after being admitted to hospital, (b) levels of adherence by hospitals to the Decompensated Cirrhosis Care Bundle, (c) the extent of access to 24-hour emergency endoscopy for patients with decompensated cirrhosis, (d) the proportion of patients with decompensated cirrhosis undergoing a nutritional assessment within 48 hours of hospital admission and (e) the quality of end-of-life care for patients with advanced liver disease.

Steve Brine: This information is not routinely collected. However, NHS England is committed to improving the care of patients with decompensated liver disease and has a priority work programme examining new approaches to managing such patients, including establishing specialised centres to improve patient care. As part of this on-going work, a national dashboard for liver disease is being established that will allow close monitoring of hospital performance in this area. Whilst there is no specific assessment available for the quality of end of life care for patients with advanced liver disease, international comparisons rate the United Kingdom as the best country in the world for end of life care.

Obesity: Health Services

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether his Department collects data to assess the performance of GPs in managing obesity in primary care.

Steve Brine: There is an indicator in the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) related to general practices holding a register of obese patients. The contractor establishes and maintains a register of patients aged 18 years and over who have presented with a Body Mass Index of over 30 in the preceding 12 months. These indicators do not relate to performance of general practices in dealing with obesity. The QOF is a voluntary annual reward and incentive programme for all general practice surgeries in England, detailing practice achievement results. Prevalence data on 21 conditions is recorded and can be broken down sub-nationally to regional and general practice level. Information is voluntarily provided by 95.4% of general practices in England. QOF is part of the General Medical Services contracting arrangements. There may be similar schemes developed locally for Personal Medical Services (PMS) and Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS) practices. However, as PMS and APMS are locally negotiated contracts, these are a matter for agreement between NHS England and the contractor concerned.

Liver Diseases: Health Services

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether his Department collects data to assess the access of patients with liver disease to multidisciplinary alcohol care teams.

Steve Brine: There is no specific data available detailing the access of patients with liver disease to multidisciplinary alcohol care teams. In 2014 and 2016, Public Health England undertook national surveys of district general hospitals to further understand the number, capacity, and practices of alcohol care teams.The results of the 2014 survey were published at:https://www.alcohollearningcentre.org.uk/News/-Alcohol-care-in-Englands-hospitals-An-opportunity-not-to-be-wasted-has-been-published-/The results of the 2016 survey are due to be published in spring 2018.

Hepatitis

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether his Department plans to publish a strategy to eliminate hepatitis C.

Steve Brine: The Government is committed to meeting the World Health Organization target of eliminating hepatitis C by 2030 but there are no plans at this time to publish a strategy to eliminate hepatitis C. A variety of initiatives are underway in England to improve awareness and case finding, re-engagement and linkage to care, especially in drug services, primary care, prisons and accident and emergency centres. In addition, NHS England is funding access to new hepatitis C treatments in accordance with guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

Hepatitis

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to NHS England's press release of 28 July 2016 entitled World Hepatitis Day: a chance to reflect on achievements to date and redouble efforts, what discussions his Department has had with NHS England on developing more innovative, longer-term proposals for the treatment of hepatitis C.

Steve Brine: Following a procurement process that concluded in September 2017, NHS England has secured further improvements in pricing of hepatitis C treatments, including through an innovative ‘pay per cure’ approach. NHS England’s detailed work to design an innovative, longer-term approach to hepatitis C treatment procurement has continued and it is anticipated that this will be shared with suppliers early in 2018. NHS England spent in excess of £200 million on direct acting antivirals for hepatitis C in 2016-17 and is funding access to new hepatitis C treatments in accordance with guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, apportioned to local Operational Delivery Networks based on estimated local health needs. NHS England is planning a sustainable roll out of treatment which will complete the treatment of 71,000 individuals between 2015/16 and 2020/21. Commercial and contractual activity undertaken by NHS England is already securing reduced prices to allow expanded treatment rates within available resources. Various initiatives are underway in England to improve awareness and case finding, re-engagement and linkage to care, especially in drug services, primary care, prisons and accident and emergency centres recognising the challenges inherent in a pathway where there are multiple commissioners and providers and budgetary constraints.

Hepatitis: Health Education

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to raise awareness of hepatitis C among black and minority ethnic groups.

Steve Brine: Public Health England has developed and shared materials with a range of stakeholders, including the voluntary sector, to help raise awareness of hepatitis C infection and highlight the need for those at risk to seek testing and treatment. The resources and materials available comprise of posters, a quiz, social media videos and social banners in a variety of different languages; all of these resources are available online to download or order by healthcare professionals as well as the public themselves. A £2 million National Institute for Health Research programme grant evaluating different approaches to identifying black and ethnic people with chronic viral hepatitis is currently being completed by Professor Foster and his team at Queen Mary University of London. Data from this trial will be used to inform our decisions about the best way to improve engagement with these communities who are at above average risk from these infections.

Slaughterhouses: Inspections

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 30 November 2017 to Question 115457, whether a slaughterhouse is allowed to continue operating after receiving an unsatisfactory audit result, before the performance of the slaughterhouse has been seen to have or have not improved, whilst follow-up audits and unannounced inspections are occurring.

Steve Brine: A slaughterhouse may be allowed to continue operating after receiving an audit outcome of ‘Improvement Necessary’ or ‘Urgent Improvement Necessary’. However, if the Food Standards Agency believes there is an imminent risk to public health or there are serious breaches in animal welfare standards it can suspend the business from operating immediately until such time as the issues identified have been resolved or the approval is withdrawn.

Slaughterhouses: Inspections

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) slaughterhouses and (b) other meat establishments audited by the Food Standards Agency have (i) received one unsatisfactory audit result, (ii) received more than one successive unsatisfactory audit result, (iii) had their approval withdrawn as a result of an unsatisfactory audit result and (iv) been audited in the last seven years.

Steve Brine: The information requested is as follows: Slaughterhouses:- 65 slaughterhouses have received one unsatisfactory audit result;- 70 slaughterhouses have received more than one successive; unsatisfactory audit result;- One slaughterhouse has had their approval withdrawn following an unsatisfactory audit; and- The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has audited 467 slaughterhouses. Other Meat Establishments:- 67 other meat establishments have received one unsatisfactory audit result;- 35 other meat establishments have received more than one successive unsatisfactory audit result;- Four other meat establishments have had their approval withdrawn following an unsatisfactory audit; and- The FSA has audited 1,220 other meat establishments.

Marie Stopes International: Maidstone

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the Care Quality Commission report into the Marie Stopes International Maidstone, Centre published in October 2017, if he plans to withdraw that Centre's licence to perform abortions: and if he will make a statement.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Marie Stopes International’s (MSI) Maidstone centre continues to be approved to perform abortions by the Secretary of State for Health and is also registered by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to perform the regulated activity of termination of pregnancy. The CQC’s October 2017 report relates to an inspection undertaken in 2016. Since then, MSI’s Maidstone Centre has been re-inspected and another report will be published in due course. MSI is continuing to take a range of actions to address the issues identified in the CQC’s report and the CQC has made clear that it will not hesitate to take further action, if necessary, in order to guarantee MSI meets the appropriate standards of care.

British Pregnancy Advisory Service

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the report of the Care Quality Commission into the Merseyside British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), what steps he is taking to ensure that BPAS clinics operate good health and safety practices; and if he will make a statement.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Since publication of the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) inspection report into the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) Merseyside clinic, BPAS Merseyside, the CQC and Halton Clinical Commissioning Group have developed a local action plan to address the concerns identified. The CQC is monitoring implementation of the action plan through ongoing engagement with BPAS Merseyside. All independent sector clinics wishing to perform termination of pregnancy, including clinics run by BPAS, must be approved by the Secretary of State for Health and registered with the CQC to undertake that regulated activity. Once registered, the CQC monitors a provider’s compliance with the relevant requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and regulations made under that Act. Failure to comply with the requirements of the Abortion Act 1967 (and associated regulations), the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (and associated regulations) and/or the Department’s Required Standard Operating Procedures for independent sector abortion providers may lead to withdrawal of Secretary of State’s approval. The Reviewed Standard Operating Procedures can be viewed at:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/313443/final_updated_RSOPs_21_May_2014.pdfThe CQC may also take independent enforcement action under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 which includes the power to suspend or cancel registration and pursue prosecution.

Strokes: Medical Treatments

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps the Government plans to take  to (a) promote innovation within the NHS and (b) support existing initiatives for innovation (i) stroke treatment and mechanical thrombectomy techniques and (ii) other areas?

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made into whether the number of interventional neuroradiologists trained to perform mechanical thrombectomy is sufficient to meet national need.

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what support he plans to offer to regions unlikely to benefit from new mechanical thrombectomy innovations as a result of lacking trained interventional neuroradiologists?

Steve Brine: Thrombectomy cannot be provided without the staff equipped to deliver it. NHS England’s priority is therefore to develop well-staffed and effective units capable of delivering safe care. NHS England is supporting networking between thrombectomy centres to cover extended daytime hours while service development is under discussion in each of the regions. Full 24/7 implementation of this relatively new technique across the country will take time. NHS England will explore the possibility of providing care to patients in remote areas using helicopter transfer.NHS England is initially proposing to set up 24 thrombectomy centres providing care 24 hours a day, seven days a week which would require a minimum of five interventional clinicians for each centre (120 clinicians). Ultimately NHS England expects to need at least 30 centres to provide equitable geographical coverage, so would therefore need 150 interventionists.To strengthen the available workforce, models of training are being discussed by Health Education England (HEE) and the General Medical Council (GMC). HEE is supportive of these models of training, which will consider interventional radiologists who are already registered as interventional radiologists and have an interest in neuro-intervention. This would form a two year training programme. The second element of this work is a credential model in collaboration with the GMC. The GMC are supportive of this work. Discussions have started to achieve a credentialing model for other appropriate consultant staff.

General Practitioners

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether it is his policy to allow GP practices to exclude patients from their register on the basis of pregnancy, age, substance dependence or complexity?

Steve Brine: Under the terms of their contracts, general practitioner (GP) practices must have reasonable grounds to remove a patient from their practice list which do not relate to the patient’s race, gender, social class, age, religion, sexual orientation, appearance, disability or medical condition. If a patient feels that the decision to remove them from their list relates to any of these conditions, they may raise a complaint with NHS England. It is the role of NHS England to ensure GP practices meet the terms of their contract.

GP at Hand

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 17 November 2017 to Question 112050, whether patients with dementia are entitled to register with the GP at hand service.

Steve Brine: People with dementia may sign up to the GP at Hand service. However, the practice may advise those patients choosing to sign up to the service who live out of area, to register with a practice closer to where they live, if clinically appropriate.

General Practitioners: Attendance

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2017 to Question 112050 on General Practitioners: Attendance, whether his officials have requested that Dr Jeffries and Partners advise patients with certain conditions to seek advice before registering with the GP at hand service.

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, Pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2017 to Question 112050 on General Practitioners: Attendance, which NHS body advised that the GP at hand service may not be suitable for certain categories of patients.

Steve Brine: In accordance with the general practitioner choice guidance published by NHS England, all practices choosing to register patients who live outside of their practice boundary area should ensure that it is clinically appropriate and practical for a patient to be registered with them. More information can be found in the document “Guidance on the new out of area patient registration arrangements”. This document can be accessed through the link below: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Guide-out-area-reg-1214.pdf

General Practitioners

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2017 to Question 112050 on General Practitioners: Attendance, whether it is permissible under the General Medical Services contract for a GP Practice to exclude certain patients from registering with that Practice.

Steve Brine: Under the terms of their contracts, general practices may refuse an application to be included in the practices’ list of registered patients.They must have reasonable grounds for doing so, for example, where the patient lives outside the practice boundary. However, the grounds for refusing to accept a patient on the list must not relate to the patient’s race, gender, social class, age, religion, sexual orientation, appearance, disability or medical condition.

GP at Hand

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average age is of patients registered with the GP at hand service?

Steve Brine: We are unable to provide this information as it is not held centrally.

General Practitioners

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what safeguards are in place to prevent GP practices targeting younger and healthier patients.

Steve Brine: According to the General Medical Services contract, general practitioner practices cannot refuse to accept a patient on to their list on the grounds of age, appearance, disability or medical condition, gender or gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or social class. The service provided by GP at Hand is available for all patients to sign up to if they live within the practice area. Patients may also register as ‘out of area’ patients i.e. where they live outside of practice area but work within London travel zones 1 to 3. In such cases, practices should consider whether it is clinically appropriate to accept a patient onto their list – taking into account the individual needs of the patient.

GP at Hand

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received from the (a)  Royal College of General Practitioners and (b) the British Medical Council on the GP at hand service targeting younger and healthier patients.

Steve Brine: NHS England has been in open discussions with both the Royal College of General Practitioners and the British Medical Association (BMA) about any issues raised with regard to the GP at Hand service, and has provided written responses to questions raised by the BMA.

General Practitioners: Advertising

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether it is his policy to allow GP practices to undertake advertising campaigns.

Steve Brine: Providing information to patients is an important part of general practice as this enables patients to understand the services available. Currently, there is no national guidance around the advertising of general practitioner (GP) services. However, the joint Royal College of General Practitioners and General Practitioners Committee guidance states that information about GP medical services must be factual and verifiable. The guidance also states GP practices must not make unjustifiable claims about the quality or outcomes of their services in any information they provide to patients. They must not put pressure on people to use a service, for instance, by arousing ill-founded fears for their future health. The guidance further states that the information provided by a practice should avoid making comparisons with others.

General Practitioners

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment he has made of the extent to which GP practices target younger and healthier patients; and if he will make a statement.

Steve Brine: According to the General Medical Services contract, general practitioner practices cannot refuse to accept a patient on to their list on the grounds of age, appearance, disability or medical condition, gender or gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or social class. The service provided by GP at Hand is available for all patients to sign up to if they live within the practice area. Patients may also register as ‘out of area’ patients i.e. where they live outside of practice area. In such cases, practices should consider whether it is clinically appropriate to accept a patient onto their list – taking into account the individual needs of the patient.

General Practitioners: Advertising

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make it his policy to limit the proportion of NHS funding that GP practices are permitted to spend on advertising campaigns.

Steve Brine: General practitioners are independent contractors and we do not routinely specify how they manage their practice budgets to deliver the services that NHS England commissions from them.

General Practitioners: Digital Technology

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent discussions he has had with Clinical Commissioning Groups on commissioning digital GP services.

Steve Brine: The Department and the National Health Service want to ensure that all patients have access to high quality primary care when they need it. Technological advances mean there are now more innovative ways patients can access health services and we are exploring how we can make the most of those. NHS England has committed £45 million to clinical commissioning groups to enable general practices to provide online consultation as part of their service offer. They will be able to procure systems to support these services from a nationally developed shortlist.

Mental Health: Females

Carolyn Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure that NHS Mental Health Trusts consider the needs of women who have suffered mental health needs as a result of abuse.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The focus of the Government’s mental health service transformation is supporting equitable access to high quality care for all people. Local areas are required to consider their local population’s needs, including access to services based on clinical need, when they commission and provide services and support. The Department funded NatCen to review the evidence to optimise outcomes for victims of violence and abuse and to suggest effective responses to address the long term impact of violence and abuse. This project reported in 2015, since then a number of tools and briefing guides have been developed by NatCen for use by mental health professionals, trust managers and commissioners. In 2017 the Government set up the Women’s Mental Health Taskforce, with the objective of developing proposals and delivering action collaboratively to improve women’s mental health. One of the areas the Taskforce will be looking at is women’s mental health in regard to violence and abuse. The Women’s Taskforce is chaired by myself and Katherine Sacks-Jones, Director of Agenda.

Breastfeeding

Thelma Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans the Government has to implement evidence-based initiatives that support breastfeeding across all maternity, health visiting, neonatal and children’s centre services.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Government is committed to supporting breastfeeding through the Healthy Child Programme, as the health benefits are clear for mothers and their babies. We would still like to see more mothers breastfeeding and doing so for longer and are working with our partners including Public Health England (PHE), NHS England and UNICEF to achieve this goal. The promotion of breast feeding is one of the six high-impact areas for health visiting, with health visitors supporting parents around infant feeding. PHE is working with local services to create breastfeeding friendly communities, with midwives and health visitors promoting best practice, and through the Start4Life campaigns to provide parents with trusted NHS advice. This includes the Start4Life ‘Breastfeeding Friend’ (an interactive Facebook Messenger ‘ChatBot’), and the Start4Life website. The latter contains a range of leaflets and resources available which professionals can order for free and provides a dedicated breastfeeding helpline. PHE and UNICEF UK have developed a toolkit to support commissioning of evidence-based interventions to improve breastfeeding rates across England, including provision of effective professional support to mothers and their families through implementation of the Baby Friendly Initiative in every maternity unit. PHE is encouraging Local Maternity Systems across the country to include plans to increase the number of babies breastfed at six months within their transformation plans.

Infant Foods

Thelma Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans the Government has to develop a national infant feeding strategy board.

Thelma Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he plans to publish a national infant feeding strategy and implementation plan.

Jackie Doyle-Price: There are currently no plans to develop a national infant feeding strategy board or to publish a national infant feeding strategy and implementation plan.

Urinary Tract Infections

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his Department’s policy is on the commissioning of new clinical research on (a) testing regimes for urinary tract infections and (b) treatment methods for urinary tract infections?

Steve Brine: The Department’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including urinary tract infections; it is not usual practice to ring-fence funds for particular topics or conditions. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality. In all areas, the amount of NIHR funding depends on the volume and quality of scientific activity. There have been five NIHR-funded projects regarding urinary tract infection (UTI) testing published recently from five different universities.In England, it is the responsibility of National Health Service commissioners to make decisions on individual treatments for UTIs on the basis of the available evidence, taking into account guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) where available. NICE guidance is always evidence based, adhering to the latest clinical thinking and research to determine the best treatment for patients.The Department, through the NIHR, is funding the PRINCESS and ALTAR studies into the treatment of UTIs, and will receive any publications resulting from the work. Both projects are ongoing and the Department looks forward to seeing the results when they are completed.

Rare Diseases: Medical Treatments

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with pharmaceutical companies on the provision of treatments for rare diseases.

Steve Brine: Departmental Ministers and officials regularly hold meetings and discussions with pharmaceutical companies to discuss a range of issues, including the availability of treatments for rare diseases.

Neuromuscular Disorders: Mental Health Services

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provision of psychological support for adults with (a) muscular dystrophy and (b) neuromuscular conditions.

Steve Brine: No specific assessment has been made. Guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has been published for a number of neuromuscular disorders, and where appropriate, the guidance makes recommendations about access to psychological and counselling support for patients. In addition, NHS England has also set out that specialised care for patients with neuromuscular disorders, such as muscular dystrophy, should provide access to psychologists and/or counsellors. NHS England is also working with the Neurological Alliance in support of the new national Neurology Advisory Group, which is considering ways to reduce variation and drive improvement in neurological care. This includes looking at issues such as psychological support, which were recently raised in the report Parity of esteem for people affected by neurological conditions: meeting the emotional, cognitive & mental health needs of neurology patients, published by the Neurological Alliance on 5 July 2017. Finally, as set out in Implementing the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health, published in July 2016, the expansion of psychological therapies services will require building skills and capacity in the workforce. This includes: top-up training in new competencies for long-term conditions (relevant to people with neuromuscular disorders and other long term health problems) and medically unexplained symptoms for current staff; targeted training in working with older people; and training new staff to increase overall capacity – such as the 3,000 additional mental health therapists located in primary care.

European Medicines Agency

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he plans to take to ensure that UK Drug Licensing continues to be linked to the European Medicines Agency after the UK leaves the EU to ensure that decisions by the two organisations are made to the same timetable.

Ronnie Cowan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions his Department has had on ensuring that decisions on the timetable for UK drug licensing remain linked to the timetable for decisions to be made the European Medicines Agency after the UK leaves the EU.

Steve Brine: We recognise the important role that the European Medicines Agency plays in the protection of human and animal health. In the negotiations the Government will discuss with the European Union and Member States how best to continue cooperation in the field of medicines regulation in the best interests of both the United Kingdom and the EU. The UK is fully committed to continuing the close working relationship with our European partners. Our aim is to ensure that patients in the UK and across the EU continue to be able to access the best and most innovative medicines and be assured that their safety is protected through the strongest regulatory framework and sharing of data. As my Rt. hon. Friend the Prime Minister has stated, we want deep, broad and dynamic co-operation and in this context, the UK would like to find a way to continue to collaborate with the EU, in the interests of public health and safety.

Social Services: Oxfordshire

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to improve working conditions in the social care sector in Oxfordshire.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Social care employers are responsible for the working conditions in their organisations. Employers are best placed to identify and make improvements, through staff engagement activity, and partnership working with staff and their representatives, to ensure working conditions help attract and retain staff with the skills and values to deliver health and social care services to local people. The Department works in partnership with Skills for Care, the adult social care sector skills council, to improve the working conditions of people employed in the social care sector. This is achieved through encouraging value based recruitment, providing multiple entry points and attractive career pathways, and sharing best practice on optimal working conditions. The introduction of the National Living Wage will make the profession more attractive and is expected to benefit 900,000 social care staff.

Care Homes

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of care homes have direct access to clinical advice including appropriate on-site assessment in (a) March 2017 and (b) October 2017.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Information on local enhanced contracts is held at clinical commissioning group level and is not centrally available.

Influenza

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what contingency arrangements are in place to ensure that the NHS is prepared for an influenza epidemic.

Mr Philip Dunne: We know the National Health Service is facing increased pressure this winter and that is why we planned earlier this year than ever before. The NHS has robust plans in place to cope with winter supported by £435 million and £1 billion of funding for the social care system this year to be spent on meeting adult social care needs, supporting the social care market and reducing pressure on the NHS this year. Influenza vaccination remains the best protection against flu, and are being offered to everyone over the age of 65 years, those who are at particular risk to flu, and pregnant women, at the earliest opportunity. Influenza vaccination should also be offered to all frontline healthcare workers. NHS England has made funding available to support the vaccination of care workers in the independent and voluntary social care sector. This year all children between 2-8 years of age are being offered the nasal spray vaccine to help protect them and their families against influenza. Every trust has developed plans for this coming winter. These have been quality assured by the named NHS England and NHS Improvement Regional Directors responsible in that area. The operational pressures escalation levels framework is used by local NHS organisations throughout the year to help monitor operational pressures across local systems. In addition NHS England uses a range of data sources throughout winter to help monitor performance and ensure appropriate responses to specific pressures.

Clinical Trials

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS patients participated in a clinical trial in each of the last five years.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Over the five financial years from 2012/13 to 2016/17 the Department’s National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network (NIHR CRN) has supported the recruitment of 3,321,878 participants in England to clinical studies as follows: 2012/13 - 637,9742013/14 - 604,2162014/15 - 618,4532015/16 - 605,5962016/17 - 666,639 The NIHR CRN estimates that approximately 80% of these participants are patients, with the remaining 20% being healthy volunteers, carers, healthcare professionals, and others. These figures are for recruitment to clinical trials plus other high quality research studies.

Foetal Death

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information his Department holds on the number of fetuses which were (a) incinerated, (b) cremated and (c) buried after induced abortions at (i) NHS hospitals and (ii) independent abortion providers in 2016.

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many foetuses were incinerated after abortions at (a) NHS hospitals and (b) private abortion clinics in 2016.

Jackie Doyle-Price: This information is not collected centrally.

Abortion

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the amount of funding from the public purse allocated to the provision of abortion and abortion-related services in the UK in 2016.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Abortion services in England are commissioned locally by clinical commissioning groups. Information on funding allocated locally for abortion services is not collected centrally.

Abortion: Disability

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent representations he has received from disabled people about terminations on the grounds of disability.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Department does not hold information on whether or not correspondents have a disability.

Marie Stopes International: Maidstone

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the Care Quality Commission report on the Marie Stopes International clinic in Maidstone, whether he plans to exercise his right to withdraw the licence to perform abortions from that abortion provider.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Marie Stopes International’s (MSI) Maidstone centre continues to be approved to perform abortions by the Secretary of State for Health and is also registered by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to perform the regulated activity of termination of pregnancy. The CQC’s October 2017 report relates to an inspection undertaken in 2016. Since then, MSI’s Maidstone centre has been re-inspected and another report will be published in due course. MSI is continuing to take a range of actions to address the issues identified in the CQC’s report and the CQC has made clear that it will not hesitate to take further action, if necessary, in order to guarantee MSI meets the appropriate standards of care.

Social Services: Finance

Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the Social Care Funding Reform Impact Assessment of 3 February 2015 is the most recent impact assessment on social care funding reform.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The most recent impact assessment on social care funding reform is the Social Care Funding Reform Impact Assessment of 3 February 2015.

Women and Equalities

Government Equalities Office: Families

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 30 November 2017 to Question HL3576, what steps the Government Equalities Office is taking to strengthen families.

Anne Milton: The Government Equalities Office wants to increase gender equality, including within families. That is why the government has introduced Shared Parental Leave, in order to provide parents with more choice and flexibility in how they divide care between them in the first year of their child’s life. Working parents can share up to 37 weeks of pay and 50 weeks of leave.